I was wondering if any NJ banders know of any support groups in NJ. I am ashamed to say that I have never been to a meeting held by my doctors group or the hospital that the surgery was performed at. I was looking to finally attend a meeting but both the groups that I know of hold the meetings the last week of the month and I was looking to go sooner then that. If anyone has any groups that they know in the area I would appreciate it. I dont have any friends that have the band so I dont really have anyone first hand that I can talk to about it - good and bad stuff. This board has been a great help but sometimes its good to acutally talk to someone in person.

thanks for any info!!

Jetti, Im about to be banded and I have the surgeon Dr. Onophencko in Egg Harbor Township NJ, They are great they have a website, atlanticare.org and the counselors will answer any question you may have , I converse with Debbie Gullo, she is the clinical nurse at the group meetings. You can e mail me anytime and I can try to help you out. Tweety208330@aol.com if you would like. Pat

what part of nj are you from? i'm from bergen county...

jamie

Im from North Jersey - Essex County - so im looking for something in this area.

I don't know of any group in Essex County. But you may want to call the non-profit NJ Self-Help Group Clearinghouse at 1-800-367-6274 (between 8:30am and 5pm, weekdays) to see if they know of any.

It doesnt have to be only in Essex County just in the area. I think I am just going to wait until the end of the month and go to the one held at my doctors office.

Hi Jetti-

I'm also in Essex County. My surgeon (Muhammad Feteiha) has his support group the first Monday of every month at Overlook Hospital in Summit. I don't know, however, whether it's specific to his patients or not. His meeting is a mix of lap band and bypass patients, btw. If you want to call his office and ask about his meetings, his number is 973-232-2300.

St. Barnabas has a support group according to their website:

Obesity Treatment, Gastric Bypass Surgery, Livingston, NJ

HTH

-m

thanks Marisa