Kiera hope this helps.  ((HUGS)) Elissa

WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY SUPPORT GROUP LIST   PMRI (PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE & REHABILITATION INSTITUTE) When: Varies (Usually the First Monday) *Affiliated with Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery (CHRIAS)* Location: PMRI-Christiana Care, Wilmington, Delaware 19807 Contact: 302.661.3000   DR. GAIL WYNN of CHRIAS and ST. FRANCIS BARIATRIC SURGERY COE Struggling After Weight Loss Surgery for Post-Ops *Affiliated with Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery (CHRIAS) and Delaware Weight Loss Center* When: Second Monday of the month at 6:00pm-7:30pm **Only for Post-Op of Two Years or More** Location: Apex Medical Center Ste #103 537 Stanton-Christiana Rd. Newark, DE 19807 Contact: Maryellen Sparks Phone: 302-421-4121 Email: [email protected]   ST. FRANCIS BARIATRIC SURGERY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE When: Last Tuesday of the month at 6 pm – 7:30 pm *Affiliated with Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery* Location: Apex Medical Center Ste #103 537 Stanton-Christiana Rd. Newark, DE 19807 Contact: Maryellen Sparks Phone: 302.421.4121 Email: [email protected]   ST. FRANCIS BARIATRIC SURGERY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE-BAND GROUP When: Second Tuesday of the month at 6pm – 7:30 pm *Affiliated with Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery* Location: Apex Medical Center Ste #103 537 Stanton-Christiana Rd. Newark, DE19807 Contact: Maryellen Sparks Phone: 302.421.4121 Email: [email protected]   HEALTHY BEGINNINGS: THE JOURNEY AFTER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY **Annual Holiday Party usually the First Saturday in December** Location: Concordia Lutheran Church, 3003 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, Delaware 19810 Contact: Nicki Zimmerman Phone: 610.322.8282 Email: [email protected]   HEALTHY JOURNEY When: Third Tuesday of Every month at 7pm – 8:30 pm Location: Victory Christian Fellowship 100 Wilton Blvd., New Castle, Delaware 19720 Phone: Church Line (Recording Only) 302.324.5400 ext. 1211 Contact: Faye Sappington Phone: 302.886.3683 Email: [email protected]   GREAT BEGINNINGS SOUTH (BAND) When: Last Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm Location: First State Surgery Center, 1000 Twin C Lane, Suite 200 2nd Floor (waiting room) Newark, Delaware 19713 Contact: Lucy Knappenberger Phone: 302.593.9865 E-mail: [email protected]   EASTERN NEW LIFE WLS SUPPORT GROUP When: First Wednesday (general mtg) Third Wednesday (post ops that are struggling) at 7pm Location: Oak Orchard Community Church Oak Orchard Rd Millsboro, DE 19966 Contact: Joanne Hammond Phone: 302.945.2597 Email: [email protected] Contact: Debbie     Phone: 302.947.9112   DOWNSTATE DOWNSIZERS When: Third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm Location: 181 Jordan Drive, Clayton, Delaware 19938 Contact: Carrie Bronersky Phone: 302-659-5597 Email: [email protected]   LOWER STATE LOSERS When: Second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm Location: Ellendale United Methodist Church Rt 16, Ellendale, DE 19941 Contact: Cheryl Ford Phone: 302.684.0352 Email: [email protected]  

CHRIAS is fantastic.  I orginally started the process towards RNY about 4 years ago with a different program and decided that I was not ready for the surgery as i realized I was scheduling surgery and didn't even know the doctor.  I aborted and about a year later went to several informational meetings.  That is when I first met Dr. Peters and have been nothing but pleased with my whole experience.  As a matter of fact, I just had another "exploratory surgery" this past Monday.  I read on here many doctors who dismiss a patients pain, etc. and I having nightmares that Dr. Peters would just say the CY scan showed nothing and my discomfort would pass, but I should have known better.

My care both time at Christiana was fantastic. 

Although the tests are a pain, they are necessary.  I am hoping to schedule a sleep study in the near future to get rid of my CPAP.  I have not had a sleep study through Christiana and I am scary of that, but I am sure it will be top notch like everything else.

I think it's fairly recent.  I was psyched to hear of that option.  Dr. Irgau is doing mine.  I'm excited!

Melissa, Were you able to do the life skills classes? You might want to get yourself to a support group meeting. Lots of post ops that will share their experiences and recipes. If you read some profiles that'll give you some hints and things to try. When you goto the hospital, bring chap stick. lips get dry and all you get is ice chis the 1st day. Believe me you won't want much either. Bring your toothbrush and a comb. They'll supply the gown and non-slip socks. Hopefully you have found a protein drink you like. Don't buy a whole lot cause your taste buds could change and you might not like it after surgery. I did applesauce and cottage cheese with apple butter. MMMM.
I pureed progresso macaroni & bean soup,  It'll make a dinner party for 6. LOL. It's hard to say what worked for me might not work for you. Try to stay calm focused and positive. You'll do fine. ((HUGS)) Elissa

OK Dr Irgua/Wynn/Peters (CHRIAS) patients, looking for some helpful hints and tips. I am 3 weeks out from surgery. Next week I go to Vegas for 10 days, by the time i get home I have 5 days to get everything ready for my surgery. I have my pre-op appointment Wednesday, at this point the y have told me nothing about a special diet with the exception of whats listed in the book for a diet starting  Jan 9th, my pre-surgery liquid/apple sauce consistency diet .. I was looking for ides of different things to eat, or drink during this time, so I wont feel hungry, while i watch the hubby chow down on food.

also what are good pureed things to eat after the surgery so i can stock the cabinets with everything i need before my surgery. Any and all hints and idea would be helpful.

Thank you and Happy Holidays
Miss