Support Groups

Do you go to one?  How often?  How many people does it normally have?  What do you feel you get out of it?  

I feel like I'm biased by watching Fight Club too many times so I would like to hear about what real people get out of going to real support groups :D

The hospital I went to has support groups every month, so the first one that I will go to is March 7, which is also my first day back at work. I was going to go to the February one, but we had a huge snow storm that day and I didn't feel like driving. From looking at the website and also from what I have heard, the topics of conversation are preventing complications, the history of bariatric surgery, vitamins, dressing differently as you lose weight, plastic surgery, exercise, mindful eating, etc. That will be for the first hour, and then we will break into groups based on the type of surgery so we can share stories and tips. There is even a clothing exchange!

I go to every support group meeting that I can. My weight management clinic has them twice a month and I try to make it to all of them.

Pre-op... it gave me a chance to ask real people about their real experiences. There is only so much research a person can do and it was helpful for me to talk to people that have been through the surgery.

Post-op... I don't get any new information out of it. However, I do feel like I give people hope, just like people gave me hope when I was pre-op. That makes me feel good. I share my experiences, failures, successes, etc. with people and I think I do a decent job of pounding home the idea that it is a lot of hard work. There are a lot of pre-oppers at my weight management clinic's office that don't seem to be in it for the long haul. I stress therapy, changing behaviors, etc. I also feel as though it keeps me on track. When people say that you motivate them... the last thing you want to do is let them down - so I feel like it keeps me on track in that way!

I really like the idea that the group gives you a sense of accountability. I should keep that in my own mind. 

I went to my first meeting last week and there were only three of us. Me and two lapband to RNY revisions. 

My support group experiences haven't been the greatest but I've adapted it to work for me.  The hospital and bariatric program that I had my surgery with has a general support group once a month and then will present other specific topics on some other nights during the month.  I tried going to the general support group but I found that they weren't for me.  Some of the people just wanted to use that time to complain or whine about issues and didn't want to listen to the moderator or other people's suggestions that have been successful. However, i found that the meetings with the topics are much more structured and I get way more out of those.  So I try to attend those when I can. 

Also, I have met some really great people at the groups and we now meet for coffee or lunches and support each other outside of the group.  Try out the group if you can and take what works for you.

I love, love, LOVE my support group.  Just wish they met more than once a month.  The meetings are at my surgeon's office but it is open to everyone, not just thier patients.  I learn of new products to try; lots of tips/advice and recipes.  We are meeting tomorrow evening and we have a new dietician who is cooking up recipes for us to sample    But the best thing is I can talk openly to people about things I am experiencing with out being judged. 

Good question Gwen. Nikke I hadn't thought about going to a group meeting before the surgery. What an excellent idea!

I checked out the local one last week. The next meeting is 5 days post-op for me... No idea if I'll feel up to going so soon after surgery!

Hi! that's a great question. I am pre-op, need to lose about two more pounds to get on the schedule. I have been attending support group meetings since December, when I made the 100% decision to have WLS.

I have met some great people, have had really helpful solutions presented. I have heard people's successes and how people deal with issues. 

I am, in fact, going to another one tomorrow night after my workout group.

My surgeon provides 3 support group meetings per month, in 3 different locations around the county. They usually have different topics and different featured speakers at each one, so you could go to all 3 if you wanted to. I usually go  to the one closest to my house, but not always. 

The support groups are rather large, which can be good and bad. It's hard to ask specific questions because they have to keep the schedule moving. On the other hand, there is such a great cross-section of people there that there's always someone I can identify with. We have several people who have lost 250+ pounds, even! They are my inspiration. I'm a lightweight, only needing to lose 80-100 pounds, but if THEY can do it, I know that I can do it!