VA Conference
Perhaps Wanda can help with this since she was there too.
Rich and I arrived Saturday morning at the VA WLS Friends Conference. This was not an official OH sponsored event. This event was spawned when an OH event that was scheduled to be held in VA Beach was cancelled. Plus, last summer, we had a "Meet & Greet" in Richmond at the Holiday Inn (one of the VA board members works for said hotel) and had a great time.
So David Becker and Natalie Cardon (aka Empress/Irish Pixie) decided to set up a winter conference in Richmond. They worked very hard to get this all set up.
We arrived and ran into David our host and a few other folks we had met before. Lots of hugs going around.
Many folks arrived Friday night. There was no events scheduled for that evening and Leilani had tried to arrange going out to a restaurant and dancing for a large group. Not sure what happened but it sounds like next time there will be something at the hotel itself. LOL! I believe alot of folks just hung out at the hotel in the Hospitality Suite that David set up for the group.
Saturday morning there was a registration reception with a few vendors around giving out samples of things and talking to folks including folks trying to get legislation in VA to pass that would require employers to cover bariatric surgery.
Then came the luncheon. Everyone sat at a variety of round tables. Then the microphone came around and everyone had to say something that no one knows about them. Very interesting things from serial killer to belly dancer to who knows!
Next Natalie had people stand up by how much weight they had lost. That was interesting. Especially seeing those that had lost over 200 lbs - Ri*****luded in that category of course.
The buffet followed. It was a mexican theme with salad, fajita chicken, mexican rice, vegetarian refried beans, tortillas, salsa, guac, etc.
Following lunch were a variety of discussion sessions. First one was for pre/new-ops while one for post-op grads was going on. Then there was a mens session while a woman's session was going on and finally a relationship session. Various people led them. One worked for the hospital in Richmond (let us not forget the "eagle" story). Leilani and her hubby Paul headed the relationship discussion. Natalie led the women's discussion. Each discussion was about an hour, I guess. Very nice. We got soda, water and cookies (including SF ones) as a snack.
Then it was break time before the dinner dance - the "main" event.
I decided that I couldn't go that many hours between meals so Rich and I scooted out to find a bite to eat to tide me over since I already had some low blood sugar before lunch. Shoulda ate some breakfast! Doh!
On the drive back from the restaurant...we realized that we left his tuxedo shirt studs at home...then we realized that we left his tux shirt at home! Doh! I told him to leave the shirt he had on - a hunter green broadcloth button down - and wear the tux pants and jacket. Ends up the vest we bought him matched the shirt (green w/black) and he wore the bow tie too. Everyone thought it was the desire "look" - nope, just fine improvisation. LOL! And I wore my sister's purple velvet Ralph Lauren size 10 dress. I felt like a goddess.
****tail hour started at 7 and dinner at 8. Once everyone was seated, David had a great surprise...he had taken all the before and after pictures that folks submitted and put them on DVD with music. Watching them and having folks figure out who folks were and cheering and crying - it was very moving and glorious.
Dinner was another buffet. Lots of choices: salad, asparagus, rice, seafood newburg, beef burgundy, chicken marsala, etc. Desserts were cheesecake and a chocolate cake both SF but alas the cheesecake was no more by the time I got there. I did get to try some and it was nice but I was too full.
The ****tails flowed at the cash bar and then at the tables for those that were mixing vodka with packets of crystal light powder and water. Too funny.
The dancing started and people let loose. Rich and I who had only danced two slow songs together EVER and never anything fast - danced our feet off. That would not have been possible a year or more ago given our weight and health statues. I felt like a newlywed in his arms. What fun.
Eventually the dancing died down and folks went to the Hospitality Suite. We made a quick stop there - elevator won't hold many folks and wouldn't budge. Very funny for folks that lost so much weight, eh? We decided it was 1 am so lets' head to bed so we made protein shakes and watched some TV before snoozing. The partying continued till the wee hours or morning from what I heard and involved lots of alcohol, puking, dancing, and a PJ party including a zebra bra with a pink bow. I have no knowledge of these events.
The next morning, we had a breakfast meeting and there was a guest speaker. Dr. Hutcher a bariatric surgeon in that area's nurse practioner spoke. She was excellent. A few slept through breakfast and some looked like they were still asleep but folks had lots of fun.
And a good time was had by all...
Kathy
Kathy,
You gave a wonderful summary of the conference! It was so nice to meet people from the boards and who have had the same experiences with WLS. I heard that this event was even better than some that were planned by OH in other locations.
The opportunity to meet old and new friends and learn more about the WLS life was wonderful. I'd highly recommend to anyone to participate in these opportunities as you have the chance.
And of course, who would want to pass up meeting you and Rich? It was fabulous!
~Wanda
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