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Cyndie
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Cyndie Shares How Support Groups Helped Her After Gastric Bypass Surgery (VIDEO)

Cyndie recalls how support groups helped change her life after gastric bypass surgery.

Cyndie:
The support groups that I have attended have been phenomenal. They have taught me so much because I am kind of a black and white person. The booklet that doctor’s office gives you in the beginning describes everything in detail from the pre-surgery to post-surgery to months after on in your life. And, one of the things it tells you in there is what you can eat week-by-week, month-by-month, and I am very black and white. If you tell me I can eat this, this, and this, this is what I eat.

So when I went to support group meetings, I was telling them that I need ideas. You know, I need ideas for what can I eat because everything in there is kind of getting old, and she told me you have to think outside the box. You have to be an adult, and you have to think outside the box, you know, and so it helped me a lot in that way.

It also has helped me because when you hear of somebody else’s success, but you also hear of what they have been through, you know, it’s very helpful. The exercise instruction that she gives us is very helpful. I think just the fact that you are sitting in a room with other people that have been there, done that, you know, you can relate to each other. And I think it’s very interesting when there’s somebody sitting in that room who has not had their surgery yet, because you just want to take them under your wing, and you want to kind of explain to them because they are scared most of the time and there’s no need, especially with Dr. Dahiya because he is a fantastic doctor.

And, you want to explain to them because they don’t get it yet. Why can’t you eat that? Why, you know, do you only eat this much? What is this thing? And so, it’s kind of hard to explain to somebody, but it’s good that they come. It’s good that they come before the procedure, and it’s definitely beneficial after the procedure, but I have enjoyed the support group. It’s a great place to be.

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