Lonely in Sleeveland

[gingeryank 37]

Greetings, all. I'm a newbie. I'm a 5'1 mother to a three-year-old son and a professor by trade. My pre-op weight was 212. I was 192.8 on the day of my surgery, Feb 25th, and today I'm 176.2. My surgeon was Dr. Thomas Roshek in Plano/Frisco, TX.

I'm thrilled with the surgery and the 35.2 lb weight loss, but I don't have a large support system in general, and I have a support system of exactly 0 in relationship to my surgery. I didn't know how much I'd need someone (or a small village?) to walk this journey with me until now, my fifth week post op.

My husband is not supportive. He doesn't overtly try to undermine my progress, but he doesn't ask questions. He hasn't made a single comment about my weight loss. And he's a gym rat--a muscular, bully of a guy who used to be a personal trainer. This is sort of his business, so to speak: to notice body changes.

But I digress. Clearly I need to look elsewhere for an anchor to keep me from drowning. I want to succeed.

Do you know of any support groups--virtual or face-to-face--in the north DFW area? A private FB group? Helpful forums on here? Anything, really.

ginger

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[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Ginger, this and other online forums have been great. I don't attend any in-person support groups (too far away), but unlike you my husband has been a great support person. So sorry yours has never engaged to support you. That's troubling.

First of all, you can search the forums and read threads to your heart's content. These online forums have been amazingly helpful to me. But I'm an online / social media enthusiast.

Second, you might consider finding a counselor / therapist / psychologist with successful experience working with bariatric patients. I've been working with one since 3 months pre-op. FYI, I'm 19 months post-op.

Finally, I do hope you find an in-person group since you don't have any real-life support at all. In a community as large as Texas, I bet you'll be successful in finding at least one.

Welcome here.

[darima77 56]

Hey Ginger, hang in there. I just had my surgery 5 days ago. There is a support group in every 2nd Wednesday of each month at Baylor Plano @6pm main hospital lower level education centre. I will be attending.

I feel for you in your situation. I hope as time goes on your husband will be more supportive. Let me know if this helps.

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[Sophie74656 1,572]

Check Meetup. They have lots of groups. There might be something in your area

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

You could look for a sleeve buddy on the forums. I found one here with the same surgery date as me and our friendship has been a great help to me during my post op time.

Other than that I post here and that's enough.

There are lots of Facebook groups, I don't use them but I am sure someone can suggest some.

Edited March 26, 2016 by OutsideMatchInside

[ssflbelle 829]

darima77 I was just sending the same info when I saw that you had posted. So glad you live near by and hopefully the two of you can support each others.

[Juhygtfrdsd 154]

Ginger u can PM me happy to be there for you...i have a friend in tx too who had it done.

[ssflbelle 829]

darima77 I was just sending the same info when I saw that you had posted. So glad you live near by and hopefully the two of you can support each others.

[gingeryank 37]

Hey Ginger, hang in there. I just had my surgery 5 days ago. There is a support group in every 2nd Wednesday of each month at Baylor Plano @6pm main hospital lower level education centre. I will be attending.

I feel for you in your situation. I hope as time goes on your husband will be more supportive. Let me know if this helps.

Sent from my VS990 using the BariatricPal App

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[gingeryank 37]

Congrats on your surgery! I would love to attend the support group. I'll make plans to be there the 2nd Wed in April. Thank you so much.

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[gingeryank 37]

Ginger, this and other online forums have been great. I don't attend any in-person support groups (too far away), but unlike you my husband has been a great support person. So sorry yours has never engaged to support you. That's troubling.

First of all, you can search the forums and read threads to your heart's content. These online forums have been amazingly helpful to me. But I'm an online / social media enthusiast.

Second, you might consider finding a counselor / therapist / psychologist with successful experience working with bariatric patients. I've been working with one since 3 months pre-op. FYI, I'm 19 months post-op.

Finally, I do hope you find an in-person group since you don't have any real-life support at all. In a community as large as Texas, I bet you'll be successful in finding at least one.

Welcome here.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[gingeryank 37]

It's funny. I teach online, but I wouldn't describe myself as an online/social media enthusiast. I feel like I need to become one insofar as I need to be part of a community. I also have a genetic autoimmune disease, AS, and would love to connect with others with chronic diseases/pain.

I have an excellent psychologist. I guess I forgot that important detail. She's especially helpful in pointing out my husband's control issues and showing me how to retain my autonomy and freedom (and joy!) in the midst of them. I see her weekly, but most recently, she's given me the gentle push to branch out and meet people. I'm so used to hiding--mainly due to my weight--so this step will be important for me.

Congrats on being 19 months post op! Can't wait to be there.

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[gingeryank 37]

P.S. Are there other online forums, besides BariatricPal? I don't know of any.

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[Juhygtfrdsd 154]

There are others this is the most interactive

[gingeryank 37]

Good to know. Thank you!

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