The hospital I had my surgery at likes their patients to attend a support group once a week at the hospital for 12 weeks after surgery. Then you can attend monthly meetings or continue on with the once a week meeting. I have gone to all the meeting since I was banded in April. I think they are really helpful not only for yourself but for other people. Your ideas or what you are doing may just help someone else.

My question is how many people have the opportunity to attend a support group? If you do go why do you go and if you don't why don't you go? Another question I have for people who don't attend is what could be done, if anything, for you to attend the groups. I am trying to help out the nurse at the hospital so any help would be great!

I too was required to go before surgery and once after. At first I HATED it. In a gourp of about 35 people, only me and one other person were banded. The rest were bypass. They were insulting and kept trying to get me to change my mind about a band. They were almost militant about it. I thought they were rude and insensitive. They kept telling me I wouldn't lose any weight with a band. I was very put out so I complained to my surgeon. His response was, "KEEP GOING and prove them wrong!!" If they don't have anything to base these opinions on, maybe they need a successful person to show them that it can be done. So I kept going. With my loss, within 7 months, they can't say that now. They don't say anything negative to me anymore, and now more people are opting for bands. I stay and answer questions etc. and it's worked out. I only go once a month as the time conflicts with my water aerobics class, but the couselor who runs it likes when I come.

I wasn't required to go to any support groups. We didn't have on in this area until I was 9 months post op. I am so very glad they started one. It has been great for me to go everyother week. To hear the struggles of others makes me feel normal. We have to make out own normal and this is one good way for me to make my own normal.