Bariatric Support Group Meetings

Last night I went to my first support group meeting. Sometimes, I think its kind of funny that even though I'm a Psychology major (so close to my degree, ah!) I still get anxious about this stuff; new place, new people, and all that jazz.

When I pulled into the parking lot (with my awesome, supportive husband in the passenger seat next to me) my first response at seeing the people hanging out was that I didn't belong. The people seemed to know each other already and were at least twice my age.

It just goes to show, again, that you shouldn't be quick to judge.

Once I got inside, the people were actually pretty friendly and a few individuals around my age filtered in behind me. As per usual at these things, since I was a first-timer I had to sign an agreement that the information in the meetings is confidential (which is why I will never include names and only speak in generalizable statements).

This meeting was actually a bit different than the usual from what I was told. We had a couple guest speakers. One was Kerry, the nutritionist from the CNY Bariatric Surgery Center, and another was Laurel, a representative from Natur-tyme in Syracuse.

Kerry again talked about diet both pre- and  post-op (see, I told you it would happen again). Yet, we also discussed things like specific foods that worked out for people in the group (some of the members are post-op), vitamin choices, and the facts about hair loss.

The hair loss stuff did interest me. Temporary thinning of the hair is a possible symptom that Bariatric patients might see around the 70lb loss mark. This is a result of rapid weight loss, but the hair does grow back. Someone asked about the effects of Biotin (a B vitamin) on hair loss due to this factor; Kerry said it wouldn’t hurt, but there isn’t proof that it is effective.

However, we also discussed that if you get hair loss after that point (say 2 years out), it is likely a result of mal-nutrition, and is a completely different ballpark. In this case, it is something serious because you’re not getting all the nutrients your body requires.

Another fascinating fact you may or may not know: alcohol tolerance can drastically change after bariatric surgery. Not that I should be consuming alcohol (at least for awhile) after surgery, but I think I’m going to love being a cheap date. Seriously! Who wants to have to spend tons of moolah on alcohol when one drink does the trick?

Although it was just a sales pitch, I was actually interested in what the chick from natur-tyme had to say. Read: I was super interested in trying the samples she brought along with her. She brought different types of protein supplements to try out. There were two distinct types she brought: mixable whey protein powders, and liquid protein bullets. I was definitely interested in trying them out. I actually ended up liking all of the products; maybe it’s because there wasn’t any extra sugar or random garbage added, but they were pretty tasty. I brought home samples of the whey protein powders, so I’ll let you know how those taste mixed with milk.

After the meeting, I talked with a couple of the members about some of the stuff we discussed; did I mention the people were pretty darn friendly?

One thing that I would like to note is that I loved having my husband there (there were a few other people in the room there to support their spouses as well). I think it will be a lot easier on both of us if we both truly understand all of the changes I am going to have to make. I would encourage anyone going through this process to keep their partner close by. First of all, you need a good support system at home; doing this without support would be so much harder than it has to be. Secondly, if you’re getting the surgery obviously you have to make big changes. Whether your partner likes it or not, it will change their life as well. Can you imagine any scenario that it wouldn’t change their life in some way? I keep hearing how peoples’ relationships change after surgery. As I was told last night, “Don’t get all hot and leave your husband.”

*face palm*

Don’t worry, I won’t.

(leave my husband that is… the hotness part is to be determined)