Anyone else going to monthly support group meetings?

Have you learned anything from them that you feel will be helpful in the 1st six weeks post op?

Share your knowledge here.

Hi Kristin, I just started going to support group meetings. I've been to like 3 of them. I have actually learned alot from them. At one of the meetings they had their nutrisionist there explaining the importance of exercise, vitimins and diet. I learned that I should be taking some supliments that's for sure. Especially a daily vitimin and some calcium. I say "thier" nutrisionist because the support group I go to is in my home town and is open for anyone who has had the surgery. I had my surgery out of town and didn't want to travel that far to attend an hour or hour and a half meeting. I met some really nice women there too. We share experiences and ask each other bunches of questions. There is a leader in the group who works at the surgeons office. She is very knowledgable, she's had the RNY surgery herself and lost like 150 pounds! She's great. I would encourage you to go to a support group. It so helps when you can ask questions like, "why the heck is my hair falling out and is anybody else's?" Or, "has anyone had something stuck for more then an hour?" I did actually, it was stuck for 3 hours!! It was aweful. Got through it though. Anyway, seek out a support group for yourself, I highly recommend it. Good luck to you, Dianne

I actually go to two types of support groups.

One is with a nurse/counselor. This was part of the process and is required. I love these meetings. Usually 10 people or less are there. She deals with the emotional side of weight loss surgery. She herself had RNY a few years ago, so she definately knows what she is talking about.

Another one I go to is held at a local hospital two nights a month. This is open to anyone. When I first started going I met another lady who had lap-band surgery in July. We've become good friends and became our mini-support group. Because both RNY and lap-band patients are there, sometimes the topic doesn't apply to me. It is also sometimes difficult to hear how fast and how much RNY'ers are losing. I keep telling me I will catch up and I will get there some day. But I still like going. It keeps me accountable and keeps me going.

I like meeting other people and making new friends. It doesn't matter what surgry we've had, we still deal with new emotions, new eating behaviors, new reactions from others, etc. that it is good to hear from others and learn together.

I just started a local support group last week... it is so nice to be face to face with others going through this journey with you.... online is great too, but it makes it so more real when you sit with others physically.... the speakers on fills, nutrition, etc. are part of the furture meetings... I would highly recommend them.

Kammi in Everett, WA

Now this is something I wish I had available. I'd probably be even further along if I did have one. I had my surgery 4 hours away, so don't feel like attending THAT support group. There is one an hour from my house in the other direction, but I have not heard any updates from that group since I had to miss the meeting in December. I gave up.