West Central Florida Support Groups???

Hi Everyone! I am a two-month post-op living in West Central Florida. Bradenton is the town. The hopsital where I had my surgery has a monthly meeting for support. I am also interested in other patient directed groups in the surrounding area. How about it? Tampa? St Pete? Sarasota? Bradenton? And on that subject.....do you find the support groups helpful? How do you use the interaction? What would you like more of in your meetings? How long did you particapte regularly, if at all? How big is your group? Thanks! Vicky

Vicky, my surgeon's support group meets twice a month, the fourth Wednesday of every month from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, and the second Saturday for 10:00am to 12:00pm. The Wednesday night meetings are smaller an dmore personal, 20 people +/-, the Saturday meetings a larger 50 people +/- and more general information. I still go occassionally even though I'm almost 2 years out. It helps keep me on track, and it helps newbies to see people this far out. Steve Our meetings are at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater.

Palms of Pasadena Hospital - Dr. Rehnke (just awarded "Center of Excellence") 1609 Pasadena Ave, St.Petersburg/Pasadena - Professional Bldg. We meet on Saturdays at 2:30 PM. It starts everyone together with Post-Ops testifying. When their done they go to another room to talk with the leadership by Dr. Lawerence (Pysch doctor). While any Pre-Ops stay with Dr.Rehnke for questions & answer session as he goes over the Roux-En-Y procedure. There is also a Clothing Exchange section. Next meetings are: Feb. 25th, March 18th and April 22nd. There are seperate meetings for the Lap-Bands on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM lead by Dr.Baum (a Psych) Feb. 22nd, March 29th & April 26th.