SUPPORT GROUP QUESTION

Hi everyone, it's been quite a while since I posted - I hope this note finds everyone doing extremely well and anticipating getting out and moving our butts in the spring warmth and sunshine! I have a question and I'd be very grateful for your insight. I'm 5 years out of surgery and struggling - have only gained 15 lbs. from my lowest weight and am maintaining in the mid-150s, mostly concentrating on fitness and strength, rather than the #s on the scale - but it's become quite the battle. I find I can eat anything in just about any quantity this far out and I am battling the emotional eating that propelled me to nearly 400 lbs. in the 1st place. If anyone else is struggling with the issues, feel free to email me off list, or respond here - we're all among friends! My question has to do with support group meetings. Are you finding any that you attend regularly to be of help to you and if so, where are they? I used to attend Middlesex's SG meetings (my surgery hospital) and in fact presented pretty regularly - but I was very disappointed in the last couple that I attended; just didn't get the support I was looking for. Have things improved at the SG meetings at Middlesex, or was it just what I walked away with? What about the meeting at L&M in New London? I haven't been to that one in a long time, how is that one going these days? Any others that you find particularly helpful? Thanks - please consider this an SOS, I think I'm in real food trouble. Be well, all - Maureen

Maureen, to be honest I feel the same way about the Middlesex support group meeetings. I get nothing out of them at all. I have heard that Dr. Tishler's group in Hartford Hospital is fantastic. Dr. Tishler even goes to it himself and they have set topics and speakers. I'm going to try that group soon. I love Dr. Aranow, but have never even seen him at one of his own support groups.

Thanks Rich, maybe we can coordinate a group to go to one of Dr. Tishler's meetings? Could I impose on you to ask you to post the specifics - when the meetings are scheduled for, where, what time - I would love to join you there! Would anyone else like to join Rich and me for a Tishler SG meeting? Maureen

Sounds great!!!!
Let me make a phone call and I'll get back to you when the next one is and the topic.
I work in Rocky Hill, maybe we can meet up for dinner first depending on the time?
I met Dr. Tishler at the Walk for Obesity and he seems like a really nice guy.

Dr Tishler's next meeting is on March 24th the support meetings are great they break up into pre-surgery, post-laband, & post gastric...it's great to talk to folks who know what you are going through   You can pm me and I can help with any info you need

Ah, Joanne, I've just been informed I need to go to D.C. on Tuesday, 3/24. When is the next one - does his group meet weekly or monthly? Thanks for your help on this! Maureen

Registration:		Not Required Health Referral Services Phone: (860) 545-1888, Toll-Free 1-800-545-7664 Email: [email protected]
Fee Desc:		FREE; Free parking at lot adjacent to the ERC Building, next to the building with the green awning
Sessions:		Next Start Location Seats Available 3/24/2009 Hartford Hospital ERC - Heublein Hall - Hartford   4/21/2009 Hartford Hospital ERC - Heublein Hall - Hartford   5/19/2009 Hartford Hospital ERC - Heublein Hall - Hartford   6/16/2009 Hartford Hospital ERC - Heublein Hall - Hartford   7/28/2009 Hartford Hospital ERC - Heublein Hall - Hartford   8/25/2009 Hartford Hospital ERC - Heublein Hall - Hartford   9/22/2009 Hartford Hospital ERC - Heublein Hall - Hartford   10/20/2009 Hartford Hospital ERC - Heublein Hall - Hartford   11/17/2009 Hartford Hospital ERC - Heublein Hall - Hartford   12/15/2009 Hartford Hospital ERC - Heublein Hall - Hartford

Where the heck is that and what time? Hart hosp doesn't count as an answer either.

The list above is wrong here is a new list 

SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS -

Winter & Spring, 2009

Monthly on TUESDAYS, 6-8pm

Educational Resource Center (ERC) Building- Hublein Hall

Corner of Hudson and Jefferson Streets Hartford Hospital campus

FREE

Parking at fenced lot adjacent to building with green awning

Led by

Angela Godwin and Nina Arnold, Bariatric Nurse Coordinators

JANUARY 27^{th Panel of Guest Speakers}

: Key staff members from Hartford Hospital and CSG talk you through being admitted to being discharged, and office follow-up; hear from patients who went through the surgery.

FEBRUARY 24th

Hartford Hospital Integrative Medicine

Guest Speaker: Susan Bisbee-White, Acupuncturist

Discussion

Being Good to Yourself:

The benefits of Integrative Medicine after surgery

MARCH 24th

SPRING Clothing Swap Bariatric Advantage, Chief of Scientific Affairs

Guest Speaker: Jacqueline Jacques, ND

Discussion

Your nutrition profile:

Developing nutritional goals after surgery

APRIL 21st

Healthy Gears Program Director

Guest Speaker: Glenn Kohrs, Director

Discussion

Exercising after surgery

Your gateway to group biking in CT:

MAY 19th

Skin Care and Spa Services, CT Surgical Group

Guest Speaker: Connie Santelli, Aesthetician

Discussion

Maintaining your outer beauty after surgery

The secret to beautiful skin:

**PLEASE TURN OVER FOR SUMMER/FALL DATES**

For more information, please check the website at

www.harthosp.org/obesitysurgery or www.ctsurgical.com/programs_swlp.php or call 246-2071.

PLEASE NOTE

: Attendance to a minimum of (2) support group meetings is required before surgery. After surgery, lifetime attendance is strongly recommended.

*Dates, times, and location are subject to change, please check before attending

SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS -

Summer & Fall, 2009

Monthly on TUESDAYS, 6-8pm

Educational Resource Center (ERC) Building- Hublein Hall

Corner of Hudson and Jefferson Streets Hartford Hospital campus

FREE

Parking at fenced lot adjacent to building (past building with green awning)

Led by

Angela Godwin and Nina Arnold, Bariatric Nurse Coordinators

JUNE 16th

Guest Speaker: Alex Cech, MD- Plastic Surgeon

Discussion:

Removing unwanted skin with cosmetic surgery

After losing the weight,

JULY 28th

Center for Mindful Living

Guest Speaker: Char Wilkins, LCSW-Social Worker

Discussion

after surgery

Mindful Eating: How to cope with cravings

AUGUST 25th

Guest Speaker: To be confirmed

SEPTEMBER 22nd

Guest Speaker: To be confirmed

(FALL Clothing Swap)

OCTOBER 20th

Guest Speaker: To be confirmed

NOVEMBER 17th

Guest Speaker: To be confirmed

DECEMBER 15th

Guest Speaker: To be confirmed

For more information, please check the website at

www.harthosp.org/obesitysurgery or www.ctsurgical.com/programs_swlp.php or call 246-2071.

PLEASE NOTE

: Attendance to a minimum of (2) support group meetings is required before surgery. After surgery, lifetime attendance is strongly recommended.

*Dates, times, and location are subject to change, please check before attending.

: : : : :

I will so be there on June 16th. I think I can even get the hubby to come.