Went to my first 'real' support group last night

[M2G 1,836]

So my drs. office has TONS of support groups, classes, phone-chat, etc. It is one of the reasons that I picked him. However, right before I was having surgery, I was told that all the support groups were undergoing a radical overhaul, and to 'stay tuned'. So in one of my post-nutrition classes I met a lady. She and I were the only two in the classes so we got chatty and friendly and exchanged email addys. She had the RNY procedure a few days before I had the VSG. I got an email from her yesterday saying "there is a support group tonight, let's go!" And even though I couldn't find it on my calendar from the surgeon's office, I decided 'what the heck' and went.

I got there, sat down and then realized....this support group is for lap band people. Whoopsie! But the group was facilitated by my NUT and I do really like her and they didn't ask us to leave or anything. So there was probably 10 people total there and my friend and I were the only non-lap banders. So this is how the breakdown of the room went:

* 2 people - Super-happy with the band (and less than 4 months out...one lady had lost 40lbs in 4 months...not too shabby)

* 2 people - Completely unfilled due to issues (one lady was headed to the ER after class she was in SO MUCH PAIN...I really worried about her...poor thing she was over 1 year out)

* 1 person - Happy with her loss, but unhappy because she could never eat for 10 days after a fill, she was banded in June and spends more than a week after a fill being sick and having to survive on liquids)

* 1 person - Didn't say much, but was very obese (not sure when banded) and said she was struggling but didn't elaborate.

* 1 person - Was pre-surgery and trying to get a feel for things during post-op life, etc.

* 1 person - Struggling with 'getting back on track' just having issues in general.

And then there was me (VSG) and my friend (RNY) and I felt SO BAD for the bandsters. They had all sorts of questions about why I choose VSG, and some of them called it "radical" etc. SO there I was saying 'um I didn't get the band because I can't stand to throw up, plus I don't view the band as a long-term solution' ...I wasn't expecting all the questions. I ended it by saying that those were having trouble could consider revising to the VSG. It was all very eye-opening. And every single bandster who had thrown up was blaming THEMSELVES! Truly. "I did it to myself, I ate too fast, too much, too big of a bite, etc." Wow.

So I'm glad I went but next time will go by the schedule. Interestingly enough, they don't have a stand-alone sleeve support group...we are lumped into the RNY category. Oh well, it will be interesting to hear all of their stories too. I did ask pre-surgery for them to make a sleeve support group since they are in the process of restructuring, etc.

Oh and the reason I put 'real' in quotes is because I truly consider this to be my TRUE support group...love this board!

[juliarh 35]

That's really interesting -- and considering I wanted a lap band but my doctor wouldn't do them, really makes me thank God that I did not get it. I know some people have had a lot of success, but the failures are just too stunning to overlook. I guess I have another thing to be thankful for on Thurs.

[Oopsseedaisy 90]

I have to go to 6 months of support groups for insurance reasons and out of about 25 people there was one RNY and 1 pending band and my pending sleeve. There was one guy that had been sleeved but he was unable to stay ... He lost almost 100 lbs in 4 months. WOW! Most did not even know there was an alternative to the band. Now I live in a very small town, but they had not even heard of my surgeon and their surgeon did not mention the other choices like mine did. After being presented with my choices I researched and decided on the sleeve. I am still in the insurance requirement stage and do not know when my surgery will be. I love the info and members of this site. Thanks to you all!

[MINI-Me 196]

My group is a mix of band, sleeve, ad ryn. With the stories of the banders and the struggles they go through, I am honestly surprised that they keep coming. I know I would feel defeated and not want to come hear of others doing well. I'm so glad I was able to get a sleeve.

[BZButterfly79 19]

I'd love to check out a support group but I am not sure there is one in this neck of the woods will have to check with the clinic.