support groups

Hi fellow Albertans.

I just attended a support group in Chandler AZ and it was fabulous...what an inspiration to keep on with this journey!!
They had a great speaker who had lost 400lbs (without surgery  yet!!)  I met several people(both RNY and band) who had lost well over 100lbs and  were so encouraging and friendly.

Some people were doing great and some were struggling but everyone was there to help one another and encourage each other. Everyone was at adifferent point in their journey  too so it was interesting to see where it will all lead. 
They also encourage people who are considering WLS to attend and actually talk to people who have done it.

We really need something like this in Alberta...I believe really good followup and support groups can make the difference between success and failure. 

Are you interested in getting something started??? I will be home in mid april and would be willing to help get something going in the Calgary area.

I am a little over two months out after getting a REalize band .

Eydie

Hey Edith

How great to hear you sounding so up!
I was hoping you would get some inspiration at the support group down there.

Since you left I met another girl from Calgary, Karen Barron (alias carebare), she is younger than us but she is seeing Dr. Farries and I met her in his office one day so we have been corresponding and keeping track of each other. She is waiting for a date (like me) and has just finished the pysch consult and endoscopy.
She needs a support group too and of course hasn't found anything in the Calgary area, and has considered driving to Red Deer for theirs so if the 2 of you hook up when you get back maybe you can get it going down there.

I saw Dr Farries on Monday and he was very pleased with all my tests and I was down another 4 kgs (a total of 46 lbs) and we had a really good talk about the surgeries and I have decided to go bypass and he said he is very confident that that is the right choice for me.
We talked about age and malapsorption, in fact he has a sheet of risk factors that he goes over with you point by point and you talk about each one and ask questions about your concerns, he is very thorough and I feel that he and his staff will do everything in their power to get me through surgery and to a healthy weight. I am anxious, but anxious to get on with it, not afraid.
I realize the risks but I also trust him and if I have trouble, we'll deal.

I told Calvin and my kids but haven't got brave enough to tell Bonnie yet, but I will. My daughter says that her worry is her Dad the day of the surgery (he gets a bit freaky at hospitals)so she plans to be at the hospital with him while I am in surgery.
Dr Farries office is supposed to call me with the date and they are doing a pre-op appointment on March 2 so I am just supposed to keep doing what I have been and wait to hear.
Everytime I see him I just feel so lucky to have gotten to be one of his patients.

I know that it takes a lot of work by me but at least I know that he'll do his part right.

Anyway I will let you know whenever I have some news and please keep me updated on your progress and enjoy the weather.

I wish we could come down but I just don't want to make plans until I know about my surgery and I really don't want to be away from my sister for very long, she started radiation again yesterday but it doesn't look very good. So....

Hpe to hear from you soon

Joann