Only Sleeve In A Gastric Bypass Support Group Meeting ...

[Catracks 865]

My surgeon has Monday night support group meetings and sadly I think I'm the only sleeve he's done for weightloss. He does them for stomach cancer. Anyway, I like some of the people I met. One was a tiny woman who was 1 year out and a very large and tall woman 2 weeks out.

WHAT a cross section. A good majority found eating uncomfortable and a chore. One woman who lost 75 pounds in 4 months was sitting all grey and hunched over. She cannot eat barely anything. Some people are totally clueless or misinformed about their own surgery. A few people are afraid to move to solids. Others don't know that for bypass, sugar free is more important than fat free and mix Protein powders with WATER! No wonder they hate them. Nobody had the idea to mix any flavorings into them.

One lady got to goal, starting drinking and gained all her weight back. Another lady lost a lot of weight, but is surrounded by an incredible amount of excess skin.

The balance are people just on the journey without any issues.

It was interesting, but the disgussion was mostly geared to dumping syndrome and other things that do not affect me. I love this board, but I wish there were a bunch of sleeve people I could meet with over ... coffee, tea, Protein shakes ...?

[favoredone 590]

You have encouraged me attend the support group at the Bariatric Center tonight....

I would definitely hang out w/ you if we lived close!!!!

[circa 333]

I would totally go hang out with you if I lived there!

It did amaze me at all the different support group meetings and nutritional meetings I went to how clueless people are. And yes, 99% of them seem to be bypass recipients. "Yes, but I like pizza, when do I get to eat pizza" "So I can have beer on superbowl sunday, right?" (their surgery was 2nd week of January) The people left needing blood transfusions because they're so Iron deficient, etc. Its SCARY to me.

and I'm soooooooo sorry for saying this, but i couldn't help myself!

SAN DIMAS HIGHSCHOOL FOOTBALL ROCKS!

[IowaAndy 95]

I used to attend the support meetings that were held in West Des Moines. The support group was part of the surgeons group that did my lapband. There were about 50 people that would attend and there was a cross section of lapbands, sleeves and bypass. Since my insurance would not cover me to have the lapband removed and the sleeve done I went to Mexico and had my surgery with Dr Garcia. After I returned I call De Eibes office and was told that he would no longer see me as he did not do the surgery. This upset me as there was no way that I could have afforded the surgery here in Des Moines IA as BCBS denied approval. I do not feel comfortable going to that support group anymore as they terminated me as a patient of Dr Eibes. That is why listening to others on the chat and being able to get some support is so important to some of us.

[Catracks 865]

SAN DIMAS HIGHSCHOOL FOOTBALL ROCKS! :smile1:

"EXCELLENT!!!!"

[FishingNurse 1,210]

I have gone to a few support meetings as well and I have found a wide range of people. It seems like most the sleevers are in their 20's like me. There was a poor man with a lap band that he has had for 3 years and he is over 500lbs. I hope he consideres revision to Sleeve!

[Catracks 865]

This board is the best. I don't think I'd be doing as well as this without you all.

[Catracks 865]

I have gone to a few support meetings as well and I have found a wide range of people. It seems like most the sleevers are in their 20's like me. There was a poor man with a lap band that he has had for 3 years and he is over 500lbs. I hope he consideres revision to Sleeve!

Preach to him sister! :-)

[Escape_Pod 358]

I haven't had great experiences with my local support group either. Several frustrated band patients, several RNYs, and maybe one other sleever. I'm not sure what exactly I want out of a support group, but that wasn't it.

[Amanda 3.0 140]

I have only been to one support group meeting so far. It is also a mix of bypass, VSG and band patients in varying stages of post-op.

I think it was somewhat helpful, but it was a little hard to remember who had what procedure. The issues are different to each, so I was trying to remember who had what and if the situation being discussed was something I needed to worry about for myself.

I will go again, I think it will be more helpful next time and as I get to know the people.

[hadouni 301]

I'd have to drive an hour to my surgeon's support group. I thought about going once prior to surgery but it was the day before Thanksgiving and I got too busy.

To attend, I either take time off work to go or have to go at night which involves childcare and I'm a single mom. I do use this board in place of a meeting environment for sure!

[Catracks 865]

I don't think I'll be back. I didn't get a thing out of it other than, "I'm sure as hell glad I didn't get gastric bypass!"

The lapband people meet on the 4th Monday. That might be an education.

[Helen the Cat 42]

I am one of those people who went to Mexico to have their surgery. So haven't seen my surgeon since June, when I had my surgery. And to my knowledge, there is no support group in my geographical area. BUT I love this board, and it takes the place of a support group for me. I read it almost every day, and have learned SO much from the posts I have read. A BIG thank-you to everyone who was sleeved before me, and has posted about their experience. It has been a learning experience for me. I am SO happy with my sleeve experience! It has literally changed my life!

[favoredone 590]

Catracks, thanks for this post.. I went to support group tonight and it was AMAZING!!! A few chatty cathies... but, lots of support and encouragement... I talked about my anxiety and fear when it comes to eating.. got a lot of helpful hints.. the biggest being... GET Protein and Water in.. the weight will come off!!!! LOL

[DisappearingDivis 36]

Hey Catracks I attend a really good support group in Loma Linda. I know it's a while away but if you are interested you should come down. Next meeting is @ 6pm on:

February 28, 2012- Dr Mike Hill "Plastic Surgery Option after Weight Loss Surgery"

March 27, 2012 Dr Adam Arechiga "How to Get a Handle on Emotional Eating"

@ Loma Linda University Center for Health Promotion

24785 Stewart Street, Evans Hall, Suite 111

Loma Linda, California 92354

Feel free to swing by if you can. :welcome:

My surgeon has Monday night support group meetings and sadly I think I'm the only sleeve he's done for weightloss. He does them for stomach cancer. Anyway, I like some of the people I met. One was a tiny woman who was 1 year out and a very large and tall woman 2 weeks out.

WHAT a cross section. A good majority found eating uncomfortable and a chore. One woman who lost 75 pounds in 4 months was sitting all grey and hunched over. She cannot eat barely anything. Some people are totally clueless or misinformed about their own surgery. A few people are afraid to move to solids. Others don't know that for bypass, sugar free is more important than fat free and mix Protein powders with WATER! No wonder they hate them. Nobody had the idea to mix any flavorings into them.

One lady got to goal, starting drinking and gained all her weight back. Another lady lost a lot of weight, but is surrounded by an incredible amount of excess skin.

The balance are people just on the journey without any issues.

It was interesting, but the disgussion was mostly geared to dumping syndrome and other things that do not affect me. I love this board, but I wish there were a bunch of sleeve people I could meet with over ... coffee, tea, Protein shakes ...?