Lap Band Support Group

I have a list of the support groups from St. Vicents but I thought I remember Dr. Stote saying it was mostly RNY people.  Is this true?  Is there a good one to go to where some lap band people go? Thanks!

Every 1st and 2nd Tuesdays there's the "big" St V support group that's for both pre-op and post-ops.  By big, I mean 50-80 people.  Maybe 2-3 are pre or post-op bands, I'm often one of them.  When you're 3 months post-op, you can go to the Reflections group which is every 4th Thursday ... if there's more than one band patient there, they can then break it up based on surgery type.  Main problem is, not enough banders show up to reach critical mass, so I really hope you come to the groups!

Which one are you going to and I will go!  Are you going tomorrow to the one at St. Vicents?  And which door do I go in?

Yes, I plan to go to the meeting tomorrow.  It starts at 7pm, I usually get there a few minutes early.  Go to Entrance 3, take elevator or stairs to 2nd floor, and I think it's room 255 ... should be pretty obvious.  I look like my pictures ... usually sit near the hallway doors, the door further from the elevator.  Hope to see you there, please seek me out!

One more question.. do I HAVE to stay the entire time?  8:30 seems a little long!  I am an early bird :) Also is there some card that I HAVE to get and fax to my doctor?  My husband went for his Psych. thing last week and says something about Dr. Stote telling him to pick up a card proving you went to fax to the doctor? Any way I haven't uploaded a picture  maybe I will do that this evening!  I will try and find you!  Maybe I will email you and tell you what color shirt I am wearing!  I can guarantee I will have on a HELIOS T-Shirt which just says Helios in the upper left corner and gray stretchy capris because that is all that is comfty on my incisions right now :)

8:30 sounds late, but it seems to fly by.  No, you don't have to stay the entire time.  It usually starts with introductions around the room, any news/updates, questions from pre-ops and post-ops to the group to answer, then a short topic/talk by Linda, the nurse that runs the meeting.  She's pretty good about keeping it moving.  Lots of times, people choose to stay afterwards to talk in smaller groups (like me with other lap banders/pre-ops).  Linda will have people sign in, and she'll hand out the slips that prove attendance ... these are required by some surgeons before surgery, but aren't necessary after surgery.  A lot of time is spent talking about RNY issues, but many issues regarding weight, stress, emotions and nutrition are universal.  I look forward to meeting you there!

Ok well now I am not sure if I am coming or not.  I did not sleep at all last night!  I am planning to call the doctors office when they open!  I was finally able to get on my tummy and side but my chest would hurt soo bad.  If I lay flat on my back my chest hurt.  So I ended up going from the recliner to the bed all night.  Not fun. Surely that can't be normal to have chest pains when you lay down?  I am fine when I am up. Any way I am nice and tired and now a rainy day being inside all day with my 3 1/2 and 5 year old boys.  I have a feeling I will just be going to bed early!

Sorry to hear you were so uncomfortable, I hope that improves.  If you're not able to make it tonight, maybe you can next week?

Absolutely!  Guess the office isn't open yet  :(