amh 0 Posted March 17, 2008 I am wondering the same thing and also where the heck are all the support meetings? I live near Mount Pleasant, Michigan and they have a seminar there, but I am looking for support after surgery. I am new to this forum and have zero knowlege of how it works. I am sort of learning as I go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teachlady 3 Posted March 17, 2008 Hi I am from Michigan and will be having surgery next month. Where in Michigan and where will you be having your surgery??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blund 0 Posted March 17, 2008 (edited) Hi, amh. I'm near Traverse City. My insurance has approved, and I'm waiting for my surgery date too. Don't ya hate it?? The waiting for this, waiting for that. I expect to have mine next month also, but my surgeon is gone on vacation or something for a couple of weeks, so that might push it out further. There are monthy sort of support meetings in Traverse City. I've not been yet, but they have guest speakers on nutrition, emotional issues, etc. When I had my shrink evaluation, I asked him about a lap band support group, and he said he's been thinking about getting one started. Up here is too far for you, but ask your surgeon's office maybe? This forum is the best. I've learned so much here. Welcome and congrats on your surgery. Edited March 17, 2008 by Blund Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
54Shirley 105 Posted March 17, 2008 Welcome to Band Land. Keep in touch if you want. Shirley Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
demsvmejm 5 Posted March 18, 2008 Blund I've been to the "support group" meetings. They are in the same room we had the info seminar in at Munson. The place was packed, mostly RNY patients and not very one-on-one. The speaker spoke and we listened. I'm looking for something a little more intimate. Where you can talk face to face with LB friends. I'm not aware of any groups like this. I'm 1 year out and my only support is this forum Hope you get your surgery date soon! Good Luck! Keep us informed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blund 0 Posted March 18, 2008 demsvmejm, I wondered if (and suspected) thats what the "meetings" were all about. I said before Dr Hayes (shrink) sounded open to the idea of a LB group, since most evaluations he does now are for LB. I might pursue him on that. From my reading here, life after RNY and life after LBS are quite different, and if there is enough interest, maybe we could get a group together for support. GTS has a message board, and I've only looked at it a couple of times, but its just regular chit-chat. Kind of a waste of time. NOTHING like here. I'll keep you informed ...... -Barb Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teachlady 3 Posted March 20, 2008 I live in Alpena and drive to Port Huron once a month for fills. That's too far to go for their support group so I started my own. We have anywhere from 2 - 17 people at a meeting and we've been going for about 5 months now. I'm amazed at how many Lap Band people there are just in this area. It's really great to meet with people who understand what we're going through that we can talk to without getting the deer in the headlights look! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
demsvmejm 5 Posted March 21, 2008 Judy...how did you find these LB friends & how did you get them together? It's not like the Dr's office is going to give me a patient list. Ad in teh paper? Just wondering where I might start. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blund 0 Posted March 22, 2008 I'M HAVING MY SURGERY FOR MY BIRTHDAY ON APRIL 24TH !!!!!! yipeeeeeeeeeee!!!! I'd be interested in a TC group, demsvmejm. GTS might be willing to contact the Band patients to see if anyone's interested. I know everything's confidential, so that is the only way I can think of. Seems like GTS would help. I'd be willing to help in any way too. Barb Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lori_K 0 Posted March 22, 2008 Congratz Blund, on your upcoming Birthday Banding! :smile: What a special birthday present - The beginning of a new life! I hope everything goes wonderfully for you! :cheers2: Make sure to treat yourself to some birthday cake :cake: (if you usually have it!) before your pre-op diet (if you'll be on one). Congratulations again, I'm so happy for you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blund 0 Posted March 22, 2008 Thanks! I have a 2 week pre-op diet, but it isn't really strict. I'm not a big cake person, but LOVE ice cream! That can be made into a liquid, right?!! And its Calcium? !! :thumbdown: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teachlady 3 Posted March 22, 2008 Judy...how did you find these LB friends & how did you get them together?It's not like the Dr's office is going to give me a patient list. Ad in teh paper? Just wondering where I might start. I just put an ad in the paper. It's free here in our local paper. I gave my phone number as contact person and the calls started coming in. Every time I put it in the paper I get 1 or 2 new people! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blund 0 Posted March 23, 2008 Teachlady, Thats great that you were able to get a group together. Our paper will publish "callendar of events" type ads for free too. Good idea. So far, I've only seen WW, OA meetings. I plan to push for one here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
susieq125 0 Posted March 23, 2008 hi i live in st ignace had my surgery at gts and i to started a support group. so far we have 6 people coming to it. but i hope for more. it is very casual it nice to just have someone to talk to, and how things are going. we just did not limit it to LBS but for everyone who has had WWS. right now i'm at a stand still. not evert happy about that. sue Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kirajh 0 Posted March 24, 2008 I live in the SW corner of Livingston County and I would be delighted to join a support group within 50 miles of me. Lansing, brighton, Jackson, Ann Arbor areas. If there is one in the area, e-mail me at kirajh@yahoo.com, or if you are interested in starting one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites