ThinnerTimes

Support Groups offer a wonderful way for patients who have had gastric bypass or Lap-Band surgery or who are considering surgery to learn from each others' experiences. Support groups tend to be lively, upbeat, and forward looking. Please join us at one of our many groups or on the ThinnerTimes Forum.

Online Support - ThinnerTimes Forum

Who: All prospective and post op patients

Where: ThinnerTimes Gastric Bypass and Lap-Band® Forum

Some of the sections include:

• Gastric Bypass Forums
• Lap-Band® Forums
• Local WLS Support Groups

When: Any time!

ThinnerTimes Forum is an international obesity surgery forum for both gastric bypass and Lap-Band® patients. There are now over 4,775 members and nearly 250,000 posts. Please feel free to read the posts. But better yet, join and ask questions and share your hopes, feeling, and experiences.

Pre-Op and Early Post Op Support Group - Poway

Who: Pre-Op Patients and Early Post-Op Patients. Late Post Op Mentors
Where: Pomerado Hospital, Meeting Room C/D
When: First Thursday of every month; 6:00 - 7:30 PM

This support group focuses on the needs of early post op gastric bypass and lap band patients. It also serves as an educational forum for patients undergoing work up for surgery. Here is a chance for pre op patients to learn from the experiences of early post op patients as well as from late post op mentors. This group is a great way for new patients to meet others, ask questions, and share their hopes and concerns.

GBP and Lap-Band® Nutrition Education and Support Group - Poway

Who: Nutrition Education: Primarily for patients and families before surgery. Nutrition Support: for patients and family/friends at any time after surgery.
Where: Pomerado Hospital, Meeting Room C/D
When: Second Thursday of every month 6:00 - 7:30 PM

This group is led by Kelly Neil, F.N.P, and Karen Merdinger, R.D.

General Post-Op GBP and Lap-Band® Support Group - Poway

Who: Patients and family/friends at any time after surgery. Prospective patients and family are invited to the pre-op education and support group (see above).
Where: Pomerado Hospital, Meeting Room C/D
When: Third Thursday of every month; 6:00 - 7:30 PM

The general support group is a meeting for patients at any point post op. Discussion led by Dr. Callery and the staff is very wide ranging. There are lots of questions and answers, testimonials, and often special invited speakers. For example we will often ask plastic surgeons, nutritionists, fitness experts, and members of our hospital nursing staff to share the evening with us. There is no charge to attend this group.

General Support Group - North County Coastal

Who: Patients and family/friends at any time after surgery. Bring a friend, tell a friend. All are welcome.

Where: Rain Hampton's home in Oceanside. Rain has asked that the address be withheld for privacy reasons. She will give it to you if you give her a call. Her number is 760-519-7911.

When:2nd Tuesday of each month 7:00 - 8:30pm