Question:
Weekend Support Group in the Philadelphia/Camden NJ area
I am look for a weekend support group as I work late hours during the week. I am open to a online group as well. I know 6 people who have had the surgery and 2 people have passed away. I am getting scared and need some support. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thank you — JerseyGirl (posted on November 9, 2004)
November 9, 2004
Bob,
The only problem with the HUP support group is that it's for patients of
HUP or those who are investigating WLS. Patients of other hospitals
programs cannot attend HUP's meetings unless their hospital does not have a
WLS support group. I take it that Dr. Kaczmarski's support group doesn't
meet Sharon's needs as far as a time?
<p>
Sharon - I can see what you would be scared. The way I handle it was to
make sure that I had the best hospital and the best bariatric program and
the best surgeon (or one of the best). I had my surgery with Dr. Raper at
HUP on July 17, 2002. I have lost 234 pounds total and 221 since my
surgery. My suggestion is to make sure you have chosen your surgeon and
hospital for all the right reasons...JR
— John Rushton
November 9, 2004
PA Hospital (8th & Spruce)is looking to expand their dates for support
groups....We have a very big group on the last Tuesday of every month and
it is growing. Not sure what day they plan to add but you could call the
program coordinator Carrie Buckley for more details. I also attend a
meeting that is held on Saturday in Wilmington, Delaware. It is at PRMI...
You can get more details of the meetings on the Delaware Post areas the
members usually post reminders of the meetings for everyone. These
meetings come with a $5.00 fee. People are extremely nice and friendly.
— dcox94
November 9, 2004
Hello Sharon,
I am not sure about weekend support groups, but I wanted to let you know
that Dr. K did my surgery and I am so pleased. I had my surgery done on
12-16-03 and I am so happy I did it. It is sad and unfortunate some people
do not do well with this surgery, but you know that GOD is with you and he
will get you through. I wish you the best and keep me posted on how you do.
— danetta1070
November 10, 2004
I had my surgery with Dr. Von Rueden at Lankenau Hospital. Earlier this
year, he moved his practice to Maryland, but he is now realizing that the
post-ops from up here need something closer so I believe starting in 2005,
they will begin a support group at Lankenau. There is no fee, meetings are
conducted usually on Saturdays, and you don't have to have had your surgery
by him to attend. Here is the website where you can reach him (cut and
paste the link in your browser): http://www.gbmc.org/bariatrics/index.cfm
— Yolanda J.
November 10, 2004
I wanted to clarify my previous post. It's not that HUP is trying to be
snooty with excluding non-HUP patients. The opinion of the HUP
nutritionist that runs the regular and grad support groups is that medical
information is given at these meetings according to the HUP Bariatric
Program's protocol. If patients from other hospitals came to the
meetings, they may receive medical information or advice that would be in
conflict with their own surgeon and/or nutritionist's advice. The only
time that exceptions are made to this is when the surgeon or hospital where
the surgery was done does not have a support group or the hospital where
the person had the surgery does not have a bariatric program any more (like
Hahnemann). In the first instance, the person wishing to attend the
support group must have their surgeon contact the support group leader and
give their written permission for their patient to attend HUP's support
group.
<p>
Another reason is one of space. The regular HUP support group meeting is
quite well attended and they simply do not have room to handle the
additional 20 or so people that they may get if they opened it to the
post-op public...JR
— John Rushton
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