Irritated About Support Group

There a lots of different types of support groups. I go to 2 different ones, but my favorite is run by Jen who does all the mental health testing. She is very supportive and lets everyone talk.

The further out we get the different type of support is needed. Jen's group deals more with head issues, learning not to freak out about food and she embraces Mindful Eating. No food is bad for you...just the amount. Celebrating different successes. How we term success depends on you.
Like...going out on vacation and eating a small piece of fudge and not the whole box...that's a success and not freaking about eating "bad food". Learning it's okay to treat yourself just not everyday. Learning to go to social functions and celebrating with food along with people. Small amounts and eating what your body craves. Below is a blog from my Eating Coach. Yes, I'm now over 4 years out from revision (had a Gastroplasty in 1980 which is the stomach is stapled, no bypass or malabsorbtion), my Eating Coach has helped me is so many ways.

So find another support group in your area or just keep posting but I'm sure you can find a group that you can identify with. We all need to watch what we put in our mouths, WLS doesn't give us a "free pass" to eat whatever we want, we still have to embrace what ever tools we have. So with my RNY I follow rules and embrace Mindful Eating. Keep posting. Debbiejean

The Purpose of Mindfulness is....

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 03:34 AM PDT

to bring more joy to your life.  As you notice what you're doing, as you start living in the moment, mindfulness let's you appreciate your experiences more vividly.

Get a grip -- food is just fuel.  It isn't love.  Food isn't joy.  It is the experience of eating that is joyful -- if you are missing out on the experience, how is more fuel going to help?

I would search around.  My surgeon's office has a monthly meeting.  It is 2 hours.  The first hour is on a special topic that is related to surgery.  Everyone from pre-ops to 10 years out attend.  Then we are broken into groups according to how far out we are.  So pre-op, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6mo-1 year and 1 year +.  They also have a meeting on a different day for those that are really post op.
It is nice to hear a great topic and then discuss it or any other issues in a group of people in the same stage as you are.


Sarah

You guys are the BEST. Thank you so much for understanding what I'm talking about - again. I really appreciate all the information and insight I've gained from the leader of the group, but this is clearly "all about her" and you only get one chance to impress upon someone how important it is to stay involved with a peer group to help ensure success. I think immediately post op (well, to about 3 mos) is absolutely PIVOTAL in teaching the practical application of what we NEED to know to survive now that we are EATING again. Without support, some people will fall right back into the same bad habits that got us here in the first place. I know I can call the NUT whenever I want, and she's GREAT, but the group leader won't really let HER talk either! I think I'll have a huge ally with the NUT and a few of the other post op patients.

Thanks for giving me the courage to say something. I can't be the only person this helps. Ya'll are the best!!

Is this support group affiliated with a particular surgeon or group of surgeons? If it is, I would let them know that the leader of the group isn't being an effective leader. What's the point of going to a support group if you can't share your experiences?

I wouldn't have a problem with challenging her during the meeting, either. You know, "Leader, why don't we let someone else speak now?", "I'd like to hear about other people's experiences" or "Can we talk about [whatever you need to talk about]".

Don't be shy.

Caroline

"10 yrs ago this procedure didn't even exist! "

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Not true. I had RNY gastric bypass almost 10 years ago (October) and my Aunt had it 2 years before that. Yes, some things have changed (for example, they didn't do lap) but the basic surgery has been around at least that long.

 

I know. I explained what I meant in a little more detail a little further down - I specifically referred to your exact point. It's so different now, (except for the results! LOL) it almost isn't the same thing. But you're right. I think I just should have said it differently.