Support Group Meetings Mon. & Tues.

Hi, All! Mon., 3/6, is the 1st Mon. of the month, so there are support group meetings in both Middletown and Hamden. The Middletown meeting (at Middlesex Hospital, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.) is for pre-ops only and is led by the program psychologist, Dr. Kim Daniels, and the dietician. That is the day on which Dr. Aranow's new dietician is starting work. On the same evening, from 6:30 - 8 p.m., the Hamden group is meeting (at the Senior Center behind the Miller Library on Dixwell Ave.). The Hamden group is for both pre- and post-ops and isn't affiliated with any doctor or hospital. Everyone is welcome to attend. There'll be a speaker Mon. evening -- a spokesperson from Bariatric Advantage will be coming from MA, bringing lots of samples of their new meal-replacement cereal, vitamins, etc. Tues., 3/7, is the 1st Tues. of the month, so the monthly post-op only support group will be meeting at Middlesex Hospital (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.). Dr. Aranow's new dietician is scheduled to be at the meeting which will feature an optional recipe exchange. Anyone who's interested in participating is requested to bring copies of their favorite WLS-friendly recipe to exchange with others at the meeting. If anyone wants to prepare their recipe and bring along samples to share, they're encouraged to do so. Immediately after the meeting, the optional weigh-in program will start. This is for those who think that they will benefit from the accountability (or pressure) of being weighed once a month. The weights will be recorded in a password-protected spreadsheet. The only ones with access to the spreadsheet will be the 2 people doing the weighing, Dr. Aranow and his new dietician. Each participant will set his or her own goal (either losing a set number of lbs. or maintaining his/her weight) and will pay $10 to participate for 3 months. At the end of 3 months, each person who meets or exceeds his/her goal will be entered into a drawing for a prize. The prizes (number to be determined based on the number of total participants) will be a share of the money collected. All money collected will be distributed as prizes. If anyone wants directions to either meeting, pls. e-mail me. A group of us usually go to dinner after the Middlesex meetings, and sometimes after the Hamden meeting. So who's going to which meeting(s) and who's going to dinner after? Debby

I am going to both! I will not need a ride to the Monday evening meeting b/c I am going to Goodwill beforehand and then I will walk to the library afterward. I am not going to dinner afterward either so if you guys are going I will take the bus home. See everyone on Saturday night!

Christine you are NOT going to walk to the meeting from Goodwill. I'll meet you at Goodwill and bring you to the senior center.

lol Well that is very sweet but I am purposefully walking b/c I know that I will not get any exercise in that day if I don't. And I am going to Middlesex the next night so no exercise there either. But thanks for the concern and I will see you tomorrow at the dance!

I will be at Tuesdays meeting of post ops in Middletown. I am looking forward to meeting the new dietician Funny story- I had a post op f/u with Dr Aranow on Tuesday- it was for 3:45 pm. Apparently I was the last appointment SO Lois, brings me in weighs me we chat about this n that onthe way down to the room- she says he'll be in shortly....about 40 minutes later after it had gotten a tad quiet- he pops in. Asks me how long I was waiting and who brought me----apparently LOIS TOLD HIM I DIDN"T SHOW LOL. HE was about to head out the door when he noticed my chart on the door. Too frigging funny- moral is if you think you are waiting too long- check to make sure Dr Aranow knows you actually are there.....Lois- time for some Aricept or other Early Alzheimers drugs...or a vacation- one or t'other......

Hi Debby ..it's me Kristen...I had surgery on Feb, 27. I will be at the support group on Tues. and I will possibly be out to dinner after for some water with lemon or watered down cranberry juice!!!!!! Socializing is good!