Do feel like OH is like a 24/7 Support Meeting?

Sometimes when I am unable to get to a pre-op support meeting I turn to OH family members to help with ?'s. Even though i know this site does't tale the place of a support meeting, its sure the next best thing to me. Does anyone else feel the same? I justed to know if I was the only one, I can ask ?'s that i am a little shy about asking in a group and know one judges you or thinks what a dumb thing to ask . Thanks for hearing me out. Hugs & Blessings, Gail

There is no support meetings in my area I have to drive two hours to attend a support meeting at the hospital where I had surgery and I can not afford to do that. So this is my support. And yes it is 24 hrs. most of the time. Good luck to you.

Gail ask away because I know I have asked questions on here that I would NEVER have the courage to ask in front of a group. This is the greatest place!! I feel like I have a built in support group that I can attend anytime AND like today I can attend in my pj's.. It's great having you here and I'm excited for you starting your new journey! Hugs, Jamie

Absolutely. I do not know anyone that can relate to me the way other SMOs can. Shellie

Hey Gail, Lord yeah, this is as close to a support meeting as Ill ever go to. There isnt any around here that close and I aint riding two hours to tell my guts out to strangers when alot of the smo's here have been with me from the beginning. I cant amagine theres anything I havent said to these bunch of people that I would even want to tell in person lol.... From knowing what size my "drawers" are to how I dance like a wannabe Paula Abdul which aint nowhere near happening lol.... And there are alot of heart to heart moments and we are there for each others downs and ups, and vents and wows..... So if cant hit a support meeting anywhere soon.... This is where to be. When I started out there was just a lil over 100 over 50 bmi members, and now as of today there is like 800. So I am pleased to say I have met some of the best people in the world here even though we probably wouldnt ever meet. And there hearts are larger than there weight is...Hugs Marge

Gail, I have a in person support group meeting once a month. Which I always attend, except for this month, when I wrecked my car on the way to the meeting. OH has really helped me cope with this tremendous life change that I've gone through over the past 14 months. I keep telling folks about it in my in person support group and some are taking advantage of it. It works! Lori

Well, I, like so many of our OH friends, live about an hour from the closest in-person support group and it is a monthly meeting. While I do plan to try to attend those when I am able ($$ able at $3 a gallon and 100 miles round trip at 16 mpg!), I think that online support groups like OH are even more personal than those meetings because you CAN say anything that is on your mind without fear that you will be judged by someone who may have no reason to be at those meetings (like folks who "tag along" with their friends)... And, we all a busy schedule too! Between our home, my truck driving hubby, my two teenage girls and their activities, and our horses/dogs/chickens, I barely have time to wipe my feet on the mat outside the door before they all come at me with something they need done or someplace they need to go, something that needs picked up/dropped off, etc... Thankfully, my 17 year old drives now and can take some of that load, but life is still too busy to spend 2 hours driving to a meeting where you may not get a chance (or feel comfortable enough) to ask something that is really bugging you or something that you really need help and support for. Now at the same time, local meetings are a great way to meet exercise buddies, find local sources for protein powders/etc, and discuss surgeons/nutritionists, etc...if they are truly "local" and don't mean a huge time/financial commitment just to participate. Though I am still very new to OH, I feel like I am amongst friends and I feel that everyone goes to great lengths to help support each other. Considering most of us will never lay eyes on each other in person, that is wonderful and I appreciate each and every response I get to my posts as I try to learn all I can about living in the WLS post-op world!