Who goes to support groups? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Lu Lu · 02-11-2008, 05:42 AM

I asked a few people who I know have had gastric bypass if they would be interested in getting together tomorrow night to form a support group. I told them if they know of anyone who would be interested to please spread the word. Well... there are 6 of us meeting. I am the only pre-opper. There is one guy and the rest are female. A few of them are out about 5 years and struggling with weight gain.

What do you do at your support groups? Should we have a agenda??? I am a little nervous. I am super excited to gather with people who have gone through what I will be going through. I just am a little nervous about how to get everyone talking etc.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

I know I will be sharing this site with all of them and for the post-oppers the 5 day pouch test. I think it will help some of them with getting back on track.

Also how often do you guys meet at your groups???

coptergirl · 02-11-2008, 05:45 AM

I think its great that you have started this support group, Lulu!! There are local support groups where I am, but I haven't hooked into any of them yet, as I find my support here, and the groups aren't exactly close to home.

You might want to start with a loose structure for the first meeting or so so that people can meet and ask general questions, and then perhaps there might be a topic of interest they might want to discuss in a future meeting that you can print out info on and discuss then.

Best of luck with it - please let us know how it goes!!

rtraetta · 02-11-2008, 07:23 AM

Hey, i do attend a support group on a weekly basis..it is called bariatric angles...in the Jersey area..but attached is the web-site for our group..it might give you some suggestions..it is the BEST thing you will ever do..
Good Luck
rob

bariatricangels.com

Toony · 02-11-2008, 07:26 AM

Yay LuLu!!!

My WLTeam has a support group meeting the 2nd Monday of each month... all are welcome to attend, regardless of the type of surgery or where surgery was done. There is a presentation by one of the professionals each time (psych, nut, physical therapy) and then the most popular part is the time we get to just visit with each other... I think whatever you do - it's great! You're coming together for a common life changing event - if that means sharing stories, helping with problems or whatever... you're supporting each other.

I'm going to mine tonight... will surprise everyone being there just 6 days out of surgery!

mommy_to_two · 02-11-2008, 07:27 AM

I go to two different support groups. Both of them are done by local surgeons. They each have different speakers every month on different topics having to do with WLS. They usually also have protein samples, nutrition supplements, etc.... Then they end with a question and answer session. They are so imformative. I have learned little tips and tricks from the support groups that I probably wouldn't have learned unless trial and error.

LyndasRoom · 02-11-2008, 10:14 AM

I would be lost without the support group at Rain's house on the 2nd Tuesday of each month! Usually, we go around the circle, introduce ourselves (for any newbies), when we had surgery, how much we've lost, share WOW moments, or struggles. Sometimes we have a guest speaker, like tomorrow, we are having a Therapist to speak about body image, but most of the time it is just us, getting together to touch base and support one another. Like I said, I would be lost without it. These people have become so dear to me in the past year and a half.

offstringgirl · 02-11-2008, 01:55 PM

My team has one every other month...6 per year, and 4 of which are mandatory. I think it will be interesting to meet other kids my age going through the same things.

bridgetgirl · 02-11-2008, 04:58 PM

When I had group put here in San Diego we would sit in a circle around the room, on the floor... wherever. No food, drink only. (Unless it was Valentines Day!)

We would say our name, where we were in the process, post op, preop, curious, etc when surgery was, how much we lost, if we had plastics, share the WOW moment and move on to the next person. It was discouraged to do more than this until we were done going around. The WOW moment. I introduced this to my group because I had found that many people dont like to talk about themselves, are shy and dont talk at all, and have a tendency to focus on the negative. I believe this exercise alone got alot of people comfortable over time, and thus created alot of friendships. usually there would be an issue that would be in the news, or going on here on the board, or within our own circle. You must have a group leader that controls the group from going off topic until the topic is finished. We shred so many laughs and tears through this. Also, the group leader has to be insightful enough to draw out the core feeling behind someones negative actions, thoughts or feelings.... i.e. Dr Phil... but how did it make you feeeeellll? What did you do? Etc. The group leader cant allow for self pity, sabotage, and justifying negative behaviors.

Once a month we would have a clothing exchange, thsi is where we bring our stuff we out grew and swap and shop! Thats a good time!

Thats how the East County kids used to get along!

Jennifer Miller · 02-11-2008, 09:05 PM

Bridgett's group rocked. I really enjoyed our monthly meetings.
Her group was there when I needed it.
Thanks, I miss you.
Jenni

janine · 02-11-2008, 10:18 PM

I attend a support group in my area too. It is quite large so, we start by signing the sign in sheet and picking up a sticker with our name on it. when we sign in we get a ticket number. After finding a seat and getting settled that's when the introduction begins starting with the leader, who we are and where we are in the process (this includes the spouces, if your attending you introduce yourself). And if we have a wow moment we share it too. After the introduction we have questions given from the members usually pre-op questions first and answers are from the members as well. If no answers the leader of the group will look further into the subject and get back the next session and personally too. Then those questions of people post-op. Last session was a big discussion on the importance of vitamin "d", I learned alot. Then the leader calls out the numbers on the tickets pulled out of a hat. when your number is called we head to a table that has samples of foods, protien shakes, vials, vitamins etc... The sessions are 1 1/2 hours long and because we have so many members there's not much time for speaches and the like. There is a 30.00 fee for six months. Once the fee is paid and your surgery date is within the month a bag is given. In the bag is samples of different types of protien and vitamines, chapstick, and various things one might need post-op. Also a hand made pillow about 10"X10" is given to you for putting pressure on where it hurts post-surgery. This was so special to me. I used it and was glad to have it in the hospital.

Once a month the support group has another session for training and speaches, the last one was about how to prioritize. Very helpfull in finding out what's really important to you when there's so much going on in one's life.

Then there's the clothing exchange every other month that is hosted by a volonteer. The host provides the drinks, paper plates, utensils and the site. The guests bring clothes they no longer fit into and a plate of food that they can eat at there stage of the process. It's a great way to meet and greet and exchange ideas on food.

I used to be part of a much smaller group who did all these things in one meeting once a month. I find that by having a larger group and more meetings it's more effective for me. I enjoy mingling with people I have so much in common with.