1st Support Group Meeting... - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Samantha. · 10-19-2009, 10:21 PM

Tonight I went to my first support group meeting.

It was horrible. Okay, not horrible. I just didn't really like it. I'll go back but still....

A) I hatttteee the pyschologist who is the facilitator.
B) I hate getting emotional in front of people.
C) Now I have to wait a whole month to meet again.
D) Almost 90% is lapband patients who bitch about not losing weight and how they can't get down protein (any of it) but talk about eating cake.
E) I live in Florida and it's mostly "older" people who all bring their husbands/wives while I sit in the corner (so I could've brought a friend.. but still).

Of course half of them offered to be my surrogate parent after I started crying (out of nowhere) while talking and discussing how I had kicked like four people out of my life which is hard considering I'm 1000 miles from home and had thought of them as my original support. I'm lucky enough to have found new ones, and one nice lady gave me her cell number in case I wanted to talk to someone who knew the feeling.

But I stil HATE the pyschologist (And I don't use that word lightly) she is so rude and ignorant. I love seeing people give her dirty looks behind her back.

I just didn't like it. Maybe it's because I love having the automatic feedback from you guys. Maybe it's because I can turn to you 24/7. Maybe it's because I can cry without having 40 people watching me. Maybe it's because there isn't a stupid, rude, ignorant pyschologist.

Just had to get that out there. I know I'm complaining and whining, mid-terms have been roughhhh.

Thanks for listening

samtherockstar85 · 10-20-2009, 12:13 AM

Not usually the most comfortable place to be. You either hit it off right away or you don't. I used to go to support groups with my mom before and after she had her bypass and that's probably the reason why I don't have an interest in EVER going again.

Maybe give it a few more visits and see what happens from there? You could change or mind or actually hate it more...lol.

Josephine · 10-20-2009, 12:45 AM

I'm sorry you don't like your support groups. I hope you'll give them another shot, but if it doesn't work out, at least you have us!! This is an amazing support group. I just miss the hugs.

jennuwine23 · 10-20-2009, 06:51 AM

aww i am sorry to hear it was so bad...but i feel your pain. I tried going to a few and was like nope not again. is there any other groups options around you? I am looking into a few different ones out where i live and hoping one of them will work out and have the right fit. Ofcourse i had to ask nicely if I could join since i didnt have my surgery anywhere near where i live but so far all the nut/pysch have been understanding about that.

I think that if you cant stand the pyschologist then move on and finding something that works for you. So far this has been my best support group!

poet_kelly · 10-20-2009, 07:47 AM

I'm sorry it was a bad experience. It sounds like it was kind of a combination of two factor. Like, any support group might have been uncomfortable, because you don't like getting emotional in front of people, and well, sometimes that happens at a support group. But also you didn't like that psychologist and the lap banders there sounded kinda, well, stupid.

I hope you do try it again. Sometimes it's hard to get a good read on a group after just one visit. But if you don't like it, do you have to go? Does your surgeon require it? Is there a different group in your area you could go to instead?

Kelly

Highlandlass · 10-20-2009, 10:53 AM

Hi, I'm also sorry you didn't have a good experience in your support group. I haven't had that kind of experience - no support for me except T.T. and these wonderful people and my family. Could you have been extra sensitive because of the rough mid-terms? Maybe the next meeting will be more comfortable for you and you could sit with the nice lady that gave you her cell #. Do you have to attend many of these meetings? I know when I was new to Weight Watcher, years ago, I was really uncomfortable being the "new kid on the block" and not one of the group yet. It got easier each time I went and I finally made a few acquaintances who I could sit with and nod to. Chin up kid.....as someone said above, you could like it or it could be worse...you won't know if you don't try. Let us know how things are going for you. We care.

Snow-Belle · 10-20-2009, 09:25 PM

I would LOVE to go to a support group (unless it turned out to be like the one you described)...but unfortunately the one for my surgeons office is at a time and location that I could not attend without taking off from work an hour early (and the way our leave is set up at work, you can only take it in 4 hour increments-BOO!).