re: Delaware Support Group List

The most current List. I have a venue change for Downstate Downsizers (Lap Band) Please contact the Leaders, they can fill you in with the correct location info and I will update my list when I get that info. I wanted to get the list posted ASAP for everyone. If you know of any other changes, updates, additions or delitions, please let me know. Hope all is well with everyone. Still waiting to hear from some of the oldies. Lets have a brief update on how you are doing!! I know you guys are out there lurking. Miss ya. ((HUGS)) Elissa • PMRI (Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation Institute) When: Varies (Usually the First Monday & Third Saturday of the Month) Affiliated with Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery (CHRIAS) Location: PMRI-Christiana Care, Wilmington, Delaware 19807 Contact: 302.661.3000 • ST. FRANCIS BARIATRIC SURGERY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (COE) When: Last Tuesday of the Month at 6 pm – 7:30 pm Affiliated with CHRIAS and Weight Loss Center of Delaware Location: Apex Med Ctr Suite #103 537 Stanton-Christiana Rd. Newark, Delaware Contact: Maryellen Sparks Phone: 302.421.4121 Email : [email protected] • ST. FRANCIS BARIATRIC SURGERY (COE) LAP-BAND GROUP When: Second Tuesday of the Month at 6pm – 7:30 pm Affiliated with CHRIAS and Weight Loss Center of Delaware Location: Apex Med Ctr Suite #103 537 Stanton-Christiana Rd. Newark, Delaware Contact: Maryellen Sparks Phone: 302.421.4121 Email : [email protected] • DOWNSTATE DOWNSIZERS (Lap Band) When: Fourth Wednesday of the Month at 7 pm Location: Jim ****er’s Home, 56 Planters Run Court, Dover, DE 19901 Contact: Carrie Bronersky Phone: 302-659-5597 Email: [email protected] • GREAT BEGINNINGS NORTH (Lap Band) When: First Thursday of Every Month at 7:30 pm Location: Concordia Lutheran Church, 3003 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810 Contact: Sharon Hollis Phone: 302.545.4017 E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Carla Hood Phone: 302.740.5270 E-mail: [email protected] • GREAT BEGINNINGS SOUTH (Lap Band) When: Last Thursday of Every Month at 7:00 pm Location: First State Surgery Center, 1000 Twin C Lane, Suite 200 2nd Floor (waiting room) Newark, DE 19713 Contact: Lucy Knappenberger Phone: 302.593.9865 E-mail: [email protected] • HEALTHY BEGINNINGS When: Second Thursday of Every Month at 7 pm Location: Concordia Lutheran Church, 3003 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19810 Contact: Nicki Zimmerman-Manero Email: [email protected] Phone: 1.610.322.8282 Contact: Jim Simmons Email: [email protected] Phone: 1.856.299.6962 Contact: Rob Siers Email: [email protected] Contact: Elissa Hart Email: [email protected] • NEW BEGINNINGS When: Second Thursday of Every Month at 7 pm – 9 pm Location: St Peter’s Episcopal Church 22 Union Street, Smyrna, DE 19977 Contact: Ginger Barkley Phone: 302.653.5971 Email: [email protected] • HEALTHY JOURNEY When: Third Tuesday of Every Month at 7pm – 8:30 pm Location: Victory Christian Fellowship 100 Wilton Blvd., New Castle, DE 19720 Phone: 302.324.5400 ext. 1211 Contact: Jim Simmons Email: [email protected] • CHANGING LIVES When: Third Thursday of Every Month at 6:30 pm Location: VA Hospital, Elsmere, Delaware Contact: Jane Walker Phone: 443.907.2574 E-mail: [email protected] • NEW LIFE WLS When: Third Thursday of the month at 7 – 9 pm Location: Harrington Volunteer Fire Company 20 Clark Street Harrington, Delaware Contact: Joanne Hammond Phone: 302.947.0417 Email: [email protected] • REHOBOTH WLS When: First Tuesday of the month at 7—9 pm Location: St Mark’s United Methodist Church 18 Olive Avenue Rehoboth, Delaware Contact: Jennifer Burton Phone: 302.227.0579 Email: [email protected]

Hi Elissa!  Remember me?  Thanks for the updated information.  I am doing well.  Still maintaining my weight loss!  I am sorry I missed the meeting at PMRI last pm.  If anyone has any info and would be happy to share - please do.   I am  well.  Plan on getting back to meetings this summer and seeing everyone! Peace and Hugs, Terre

Hi Terre, of course I remember you. How the heck are you? I missed the meeting last night too. My life is kinda crazy. Next time I see you I'll fill you in. See you soon???? ((HUGS)) Elissa

Wow=sorry it took so long to repy.  We just cam back from the Bahamas -celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary.  I am going to copy down the dates for the meetings and  make a point of coming to some.  I miss seeing everyone and the motivation is awsome! So, until such time... hugs, Terre

Hi Elissa, I appreciate you posting this list of support groups. I am just starting to research different WLS and I am looking for more of an information session. I know that there is on on 6/20th but they are full. Are these support groups you listed with dr's or patients and are they intended for people who have already had the wls or those interested in doing it?  Abby

Have you had a consult yet with a Dr? Some of the meetings are by post -op patients, who have had training from Obesity Help.  A great source of information. Depends on where you live and how convienent it is for you to attend. There is something to gain from all of the support group meetings and you should never be discouraged from attending.  Be a sponge and do all the research necessary to make an informed choice that is right for you. Some of the meetings are focused on pre ops and recent WLS folks.  Some are for Lap band or RNY folks. Healthy Beginnings was started to support  post-ops out over a year, and we do welcome everyone.  Helps keep us focused and positive. When in doubt, contact the Leader's either by email or phone.  A good meeting for you is on Saturday, June 16th at 10am. What to expect the first 3 months at PMRI . Location is 3506 Kennett Pike in Wilmington.  Rt 52 just off 141. Cost is $5.00. Gives you a pretty clear picture of what will happen.   Good Luck on your journey. Elissa

Hi Abby,                I work for Chrias scheduling consults for the Doctors.   The next seminar is scheduled for July 25th.   Call Caroline at the office  892-9900.   Ask her to put you on the list.   You can also ask her if they have any cancellations for the June 20th seminar.    Tell her you spoke to me. Best wishes, Debbie  :)

Thank you! I actually spoke to Caroline this morning and she said that both June and July classes are full. She is checking on the August date and calling me back. This kind of stinks because I am anxious to get this process going and I have to attend one of these seminars before I can move forward. Caroline said they are now requiring this seminar before scheduling an appointment with the doctor which I think is great but I am ready to get moving!!

I'll tell her to keep you in mind in case of cancellation.   The seminar is a requirement prior to a consultation.     After the seminar,  the list comes to me and I schedule the patients.   Check out the website.    www.chrias.com    There is a 17 page patient questionairre that will need to be completed and handed in the day of your consult. Best wishes, Debbie

Hi Debbie!!! I unfort. cant get into the one in July but I got in for August!!! Is there anything I need to do or can do to speed up the process while I wait for the seminar?