Do you need to call and register to attend the support group meetings?

I am starting my six week diet and exercise program and want to start attending some of the support group meetings.  Do you need to call someone and register or just show up?  Can someone tell me exactly where in each hospital these meetings are held?  Thank you.

Hi Donna, what center are you going through?...you didn't mention a surgeons name or hospital.

Give us some more info, please 

Well, I have not decided where and which doctor yet.  I went to the informational session at Norton's downtown and really did not like the doctor who did the session.  Can't remember his name.  What turned me off from him was someone asked him how many operations he has done and he said enough.  No personality at all.  So if I go there I will need to pick a different doctor.

I also went to the informational session at St. Mary's and Elizabeth which was presented by Dr. John Olsofka and I really liked him.  The only problem with him is they are in the process of seeing if they will be approved to take my insurance.  I call his office each week.  No luck yet.  The hospital takes it but the doctor does not yet.  I have decided to go ahead and go to my family doctor and start my six week diet and exercise program and then decided which doctor.  In the meantime, I thought I would attend some of the support group sessions and I'm sure I would learn a lot from them.

I think you are doing a very good thing, I also think you should ask questions about post op as well.  What a lot of folks don't realize is the surgery itself is only a fraction of the entire scenario. Be prepared to change your lifestyle and we all need a little help a long the way.  How often are the post op support meetings?  if you struggle is there someone who will help you after, (Dr. Dietician, Psych, etc).  are there smaller group meetings you can attend rather than the large post op meetings.  Is there something like support buddies, angels, whatever they are called who can help you along the way.  I have coached several pts and I feel having that extra support is awesome.  I do it because someone gave to me so I feel paying it forward was the right thing to do. 

I have become friends with dieticians from all over, several surgeons from Dayton Ohio down to the Lexington area,..I got involved with the center in Florence because I believed in what the doctor was teaching and doing..but most of all I did it because he would listen to me.  I knew I could give him my opinion and he took it into consideration...not always did he agree with me and we had fun with that, but he listened..to me that was important!!

unfortunately I know nothing of the centers in your area so I can't help there. go with your heart --your gut feeling.  if it doesn't feel right ask yourself why you feel this way?  if the answer can't be found by asking questions...then don't walk away..RUN..lol

 

good luck!!!

Donna...there are some great people that I have met at the Norton mtg and we now try to get together at least one other day a month and share with each other. I really feel like I can now  call these people my friends and it has taught me alot. Like Brenda said..you will need support all the way through and I have found this out first hand. My family is not nearby and so my girls are my only support I really had until now. My bf said he would be, but has let me down in this whole thing. If you can..come to the next meeting! I would love to meet you and introduce you to them! They are an awesome bunch and its always great to help someone and reaasure them that you know where they are coming from. We may try to have a get together before then...let me know if you would like to come....I can send ya the info if you would like to!  

Im gonna go out on a limb and say the surgeon who said "enough" was Dr. Mark Shina, and about St. Mary's, they charge you 4000 up front and tell you that the Ins will pay you back,.. but guess what? what they dont tell you is that if they consider it out of network they WILL NOT REIMBURSE you the whole amount.. I had a friend find that out.. so please be careful....
  Good luck researching. and Norton's has lots of other surgeons... not just him..

dawn

The meetings at Norton's Pavillion is the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00. It is held in the Crammer Auditorium. There is no need to call ...just show up! There also is no charge. Alot of people were there at the last one that were pre-op! It is a great way to learn....There is also one the fourth Thursday of the month at Suburban. It is also at 6:00. It doesn't matter what type surgery you are having...

  July 24th is the meeting at suburban hospital
 It's a great way to learn about surgeons and their practices..
   And to hear real life prospectives on the different surgeries.
  Good luck and come join us..
this month at suburban is family support group..
dawn