What makes up the 'support' in support group?

[phatgirl]

I was just thinking about what people get out of this support group site. I mean I am sure it has got to be different for everyone but some basic support needs drive us to belong right?

So here is my question, what did you think you would get in the way of support here when you joined and what kind of support helped you the most?

Nic

 

[phatgirl]

I'll start.

I came here looking for answers about the British experience of a Gastric Bypass. I was basically looking for a place that could inform me what my surgery would be like here (books all written about USA surgeries could not answer this for me).

What I found most supportive here was the ability to post honestly about my struggles & victories and find that I was not alone and had many people truly happy to hear of my success.

That is pretty dope. Okay, next?

 

[j.u.s.t.l.i.z.]

hi nic, when i joined i thought id get support from others that knows exactly how i feel as they would be in the same situation or a very similar one to myself, and be helped through a long journey of weight loss surgery, i have recieved that here and its the best weight loss support forum i have been on.

the support that helped me the most i cant pin point for me, as i find alot of threads posts usefull to me as weight loss surgery is a learning curve in life, and each day im learning new facts i didnt have the knowledge of before. if i ever have a question theres always someone freindly there to offer support or advice, most of all it a place where we dont get judged for who we are or our decisions to have wls.

liz x

 

[waynetta]

Great thread Nic. When I joined I was really unsure about the whole forum on the internet thing. I did'nt even put my real dob. I was just looking for imformation about Walsall Manor and Mr Kahn. Little did I know at the time just how much I would come to depend and value all the lovely people that I chat to on here daily. This forum and especially the people on it have really helped me come through my journey so far. The support and kindness on here still suprises me now and I am soooo happy I found you all. xxxxxxx

 

[hopelesscase]

Fantastic post nic.
I had never considered WLS prior to seeing the endocraiologist with help with my weight. So you can imagine my shock when he told me that with a bmi over 50 it was the only thing he was prepared to offer me and his advise was to go for it.
I came looking for Information,advice and support at a time in my life where my dad had terminal cancer and i also was undergoing surgery on my shoulder. I had bought several books on WLS but couldnt concentrate on reading them but this forum made it very real for me.
The best part for me was reading about real peoples experiances warts and all so that i was fully informed. what i didnt expect was to make so many great friends along the way.
thanks everyone.
hc

 

[WeightlossWannabee]

Great thread, Nic.
I had a basic idea of wls before I joined the forum, but I had lots of unanswered questions. Joining up meant that I could ask specific questions about the hospital and the surgeon I had been referred to. My experience has evolved since, though, because I found that for every question I found a solution to, I thought of another question! What's nice about this forum is that you can ask anything - even if it seems really trivial - the sort of thing you wouldn't dream of asking the doc. Also, it's reassuring to learn that other people often have the same concerns and anxieties as you - like the thread posted yesterday about the 1% mortality rate. Before joining minis, I thought that wls was really only for the rich and famous. It's made me realise that, actually, it's for ordinary people like me. I'm so glad I found it. The forum has lived up to my expectations and more. xx

 

[Sambucca]

Great thread Nic.

I first came to Mini's when I was about to start the Cambridge Diet. At that time the support was invaluable. It was beneficial to be able to talk to others doing the same diet at the same time. Sharing tips and downfalls made doing the diet "easier" for me.

UNfortunately, I eventually stopped doing Cambridge and the support at that time was from people trying to get me to "jump back on the wagon" or people telling me Im only human. After numerous failed restarts though I stopped posting for a while.

ABout a year later i started looking into WLS and once I had decided it was the right thing for me to do I returned to Mini's as I knew I would find the same sort of support that I had received before. The expert advice I have received here has made the wait far more bearable. I have made some real friends for which I will be eternally grateful.

I love the fact that for any random question you can think of, someone has the answer. I try my best to give out as much support as I can, because I know that when my time comes, you will all be there for me.

I love Mini's

 

[tesmaralda]

its not just the reading about real experiences of people who have been thorugh the same process and have exactrly the same thoughts nad feelings. I have made some super friends along the way and know that I can come on here with any problem and someboy will be here to help me out.

But its also about being here to help others, it makes me feel like I properly belong to something as people listen to what I have to say and that my experiences and ideas can help other people too it helps take my mind off the waiting. Its a two way thing.

 

[teen]

Great thread. I joined minis after I had my operation. I was just looking for info to start with, but reading what other people have gone through sort of help me on my journey. If I was feeling of side and was worried about something I could have a butchers on here and always find someone else who was having the same problem. Also I didnt feel stupid for asking a daft question. So it has help me out quite a bit. Its good to talk rather than bottle stuff up, like if you dont wanna bother your other half cause they would worry you could ask on here