ObesityHelp Community Tips: Attending a Conference
July 10, 2015Whether you are pre-op, newly post-op, or a long term post-op bariatric surgery patient, attending an ObesityHelp Conference can be a very beneficial experience. Conferences provide the opportunity to interact with both patients and professionals, gathering valuable information and tips on how to integrate that new information into your real-life situation.
Attending a conference can be an awesome experience, it can also feel overwhelming, especially for a first time attendee. So we reached out to the ObesityHelp Community and asked what tips or advice they would give to make the most out of attending a conference.
I've attended more than 10 ObesityHelp conferences, here are my tips for before, during and after the conference:
Before the Conference
- Get connected - Sign up for conference e-mail updates. Read Message boards, join Facebook Event Groups, follow event hashtags on Twitter and Instagram. A great way to find out who else is attending and to learn about speakers, sessions, and event sponsors. There might also be a pre-event contest and giveaways.
- Look back at past years events - Look at pictures and read recaps to get a sense of what type of sessions will be offered and the overall focus of the conference.
- Plan ahead - Review the agenda and select which sessions you want to attend, sometimes there might be concurrently occurring sessions. Sign up for participation in any special sessions like on-site consults, fashion shows, or limited seating sessions. Not all conferences have special sessions, that's why it's good to get connected so you will know in advance. You will also want to plan what to pack, some conferences have themed costume parties and/or dress up evening events.
During the Conference
- Name Tag - On your name tag include the name you are known by online. This is also helpful since some people do not use their real name or picture as an avatar.
- Talk to Strangers - Forget what your mother told you! Talking to strangers is the best way to meet new people. If you see someone sitting alone, go introduce yourself. You never know what connection you might have. I've made many long-lasting friends this way!
- Follow Social Media - Great way to keep up on which sessions others are enjoying at the conference and to plan impromptu meet-ups in the lobby to make dinner plans or coffee break.
- Attend Social Events - ATTEND the evening social events, even if you do not dress up. Come as you are and enjoy the fun! This will be a time you are going to be among friends, those friends who understand what it is like to battle a life of obesity and who will not judge you....so get on the dance floor and shake your groove thing!
- Be open to learning new things: Attend all the sessions you want, and try to attend a new topic. The conferences offer a variety of topics on surgery, nutrition, plastic surgery, exercise and emotional health. Definitely remember that your weight loss journey is going to involve making a healthier YOU...ALL of you!
After the Conference
- Complete the conference evaluation/survey - Event staff work many months planning a conference and feedback is important to the overall process. Be honest, share what you liked about the conference, and what parts you felt could be improved upon.
- Connect online with new friends - Remember to connect with any new friends and keep in touch.
- Share pictures/Tag yourself - Watch for conference pictures to be posted on ObesityHelp.com and social media, tag yourself and share. Be sure to post and share your own pictures!
- Make plans for NEXT YEAR!
Additional tips from veteran conference attendees:
"Remember why you chose to have weight loss surgery in the first place, and remind yourself that it wasn't so you could compete with so-and-so, and it wasn't so you could worry about what other people think." - Cari D.
"Be open to meeting new people who have had different experiences with surgery! It is a blast and don't worry too much about fitting in! The best part for me is that I met people who eat tiny portions or just eat the fillings of sandwiches, etc." - Julianne W.
"Don't compare yourself to others (why can I eat more than you) and limit judgment (why are they eating that)." - Andrea U.
"If you're struggling with weight regain, stalls, maintenance, complications, shame, feelings of failure, and more... you might feel tempted to turn away and feel like you don't belong or shouldn't come. My biggest tip is...don't do that! The ObesityHelp Conference is a welcoming environment full of understanding people, many that 'have been there, done that'. It is a weekend where you can put yourself first, be compassionate to yourself, reach out for support and education, connect with others that understand, and even get reinvigorated and motivated. Don't hold yourself back! - Alli
"You are going to hear many successes and trials/difficulties... you'll hear many different methods for success; follow what your bariatric team has set forth for you. Only they know what will work best for you. OR if you'd like to try something new, always check with your bariatric doctors' plan to make sure it's alright. Oh, and...Come with an empty duffle bag for the clothing exchange!! I learn by going to my support groups from doctors & nurses, but the information learned by participating and from other attendees was invaluable. I also recommend bringing a family member along for the experience. It's always nice for family (or friends) to see what bariatric patients go through. My mom knows a lot from what I've told her, but when you hear it from others (or new information entirely), it's validated and seen first hand... and then understood. Being a before picture! People will ask! I never carried one with me until after I attended last year's convention... it'll be a reminder of how far you've come" - Lauren M.
"Have FUN!!!! Meet people. Talk to everyone. Just walk up and introduce yourself. We are all in the same boat in one way or another and everyone has a story" - Valerie T.
"I truly have never felt less judged than when I was there. I felt like I was at home. My advice is to sleep very, very well leading up to the event. You're not going to get much while you're there. I'd also suggest a spiral-bound notebook (or a notebook of some kind) to take to sessions. So much great info to take notes about!" - Denise L.
"To let your freak flag fly! Try new clothes, dance like no one is watching, give and get unconditional love and support. Walk away from negative things IF they happen and make sure and attend the speaker stuff. You'll learn more than you'll ever imagine!" - Yvonne M.
"Participate!" - Mary C.
"Talk to people. Especially people who are alone and seem shy or reluctant. You never know, you might find your new best friend!" - Nanette A.
"Bring a notebook, if you're a geek at all like me and must write everything down! Sit with/next to someone new at each session/meal, you never know who you'll connect with. Definitely look at the schedule to see which speakers you don't want to miss, and don't be afraid to approach the speakers with questions/comments." - Bec M.
"Bring an open mind and your old clothes to donate to someone who can use them...as well as an extra bag to bring home what you find in the clothing swap." - Checkitout
"Bring an open mind, and a humble attitude." - lovlil8t
"Bring a sweater or light jacket in case you get cold in the conference rooms." - Megan
Share your conference tips in the comments below!
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sarah (aka Sarahlicious) has been an active member of ObesityHelp since 2003. Her specific areas of interests are Lipedema, Lymphedema, Obesity, and Health Insurance advocacy. Sarah writes about her life experiences at Born2lbFat. She is a member of the Board of Directors of both the Obesity Action Coalition and the Lymphedema Advocacy Group. Sarah has a Masters in Health Law.Read more articles by Sarah Bramblette! |
