are your support group meeting vets needs

[hollmon 5]

I would like to know if u still attend support groups?

Do your groups focus on vets issues? Those of us who r a year or more ou?

If not what what topics would you like to see discussed?

Is your support group lead by a peer ( someone who's been there)

Thanks for you replys

[DLCoggin 1,788]

I do not attend support groups but I never did beyond the two that were required prior to surgery. I am not in any way
"anti support groups", I just never felt that I needed anything beyond what I get right here on BP. I think the constant reinforcement of staying on track is immensely important. But in my case, that reinforcement does not need to be "in person" and the forum offers a much broader spectrum of thoughts and ideas than is practical to achieve with in person meetings.

[Chelly 364]

I go once or twice a month to the support group that my surgeons office has.

They always have different speakers but mostly they let the people of the group talk about the subject.

The meetings are with support staff of the surgeons in the group. So it could be a nurse, psych., nutritionist, surgeon, physician assistant.

They have subjects for both the newbies and vets.

The only thing I have a complaint about is the meetings are not long enough.

I also get a lot from here too.

[Baconville 578]

I would agree with Chelly. My clinic offers two support groups. One is primarily geared for pre-op and newbies, the other for those that are at least four months out. The pre-op group is led by one of the psych's and the vet group by one of the nurses. Pre-op normally has speakers each month and time for questions. Vet group is a shorter meeting and has a topic that is normally relevant to vets. Vets are encouraged to attend both meetings. I try to make them whenever my schedule allows because I believe that they keep me on track and focused. I get daily support here on BP and I love that, but the in person support I think is also important. I have also gained a lot of knowledge over the past year, and I have had wonderful success. If I can help make this process easier for somebody else that is on the journey, then I want to be there for them. It helps to keep me motivated and to remember why I am doing what I am doing. I find my support group meetings to be very motivational and always leave feeling refocused on what I am doing and why. It a good thing!

Carol