Support Group

I am new to this website, but I think it is great! I am somewhat computer illiterate so please bear with me in this process. I had my RNY surgery done in Cedar Falls last year and am interested in starting a support group for gastric bypass patients. Sartori offers a great group the first Monday of the month, but I am wondering if anyone would be interested in meeting on other Mondays? (Or another night of the week) I think this message board is a wonderful way to connect, but I think meeting other people in person would be really helpful too. I understand there are some people meeting in Cedar Falls who meet at restaurants, but I'm not really into that. I want to be in a group situation that is supportive of having a successful post op lifestyle, whi*****ludes careful, healthy eating, excercise, and some good coping skills to deal with some of the behaviors that contributed to the original weight gain...I don't ever want to regain the weight again! Some of my goals for the group would be sharing healthy alternative recipes, nutritional supplement info, maybe developing exercise buddies (it is always easier to get to the gym if you have someone to go with you). I think we all have had to learn to modify some of our pre surgery behaviors and attitudes towards food and I think we could really help eachother be successful in this type of format. Would anybody interested in this? I am flexible about location, we can work it out wherever (and whenever, to a degree) it works for the most people. Please email me at [email protected] if interested.

There is a great support group that was meeting at Bishops that I'm sure would welcome you. Being out at restaurants or places that have food is one of the things that we have to learn to deal with. Even though we've had the surgery - relearning our habits and new lifestyle is imperative to success. This surgery is not a "diet" -- it's definitely a lifestyle change. I've gone to the Bishops' group and simply had water or fruit -- we don't have to eat. Best of luck to you. Janie Lap RNY 4/14/2004 272/142 (beyond goal)