ANYONE IN THE CHICAGO SUBURBS??

Hi, I haven't been on this website in quite awhile..my, house things have changed. Trying to figure out my way around now. I am starting the training with OH in a few weeks to become a support group leader. The one that is sponsored by my surgeons office requires a fee too attend, which I do not think is right nor is it worth the $. I am almost 2 years post op...having lost 130 lbs. I am really struggling..falling back into the old eating patterns. I am looking for some online support...while my group is "under construction". I am located in Elgin....any other OH members in/around my area...would love to hear from you...or from anybody for that matter...that is struggling...just as I am. Thanks Kristi

I am in Itasca not too far from you. There are others in the western 'burbs also. The board has been a little slow lately.

Hi Kristi, Would love to hear about the support group you're trying to start. I'm ion Hoffman and usually available as I'm not working right now. I've just hit my first stall - for the whole month of August and am getting a bit frustrated. I've lost 107 pounds up until then but can't seem to move an ounce beyond that. Anyway, let me know. I could use some support right about now. Regards and hugs, Ronna

Hi Kristi, I am right down the road from you in West Chicago. I would love to hear more about the group when it starts. I have just used this website for support as my drs group has always met at an inconvient time. Giovanna 12/6/04 250/125

I am also in west chicago. My doctor is an hour away, so i have not gone to any of her support groups. I would be intrested.

Kristi, do you have any idea when you may start meeting with others as a support group. I would like to stop in if it is a time that I could make it. Chris

Wow! I could have written that e mail. I am in the northern suburbs but despeate for some support. I have lost 180 lbs. but am also craving sweets and eating some of them. I would love to team up with you.

Hi Kristi ... I attend several support groups from Oak Park to the northern suburbs, and I'd like to check out more! Kathy S in the southwest burbs has completed her OH support group leader training and will be setting up her group sometime this fall. After "straying" from the 'program' between September 2004 and July 2005, I found I had gained 20 pounds. What I mean my "straying" is: I stopped attending support groups, seeing my nut, weighing in, journaling food/exercise. Needless to say, that 20 pound gain FREAKED ME OUT. I mean ... if surgery doesn't work, what else is there? A week after I found out about this gain, I was hospitalized for a dog bite (twice for 5 days each within a 3 week period), and it seems my life has been thrown up in the air and scattered all over (supposed gallbladder probs, failed IVF, work probs, yadda yadda yadda). I am trying to pick up all the pieces, and some of those are my current eating issues. Granted, I have lost that 20 pounds plus, but my friends are telling me that I'm being "too restrictive". I do think support groups are GREAT (in fact I wanted to go to one here in Miami last night), and while I think its great that people at all stages get together, I really would like to see something separate ****asionally) for those 2+ years postop. There seem to be a lot of us with some of the same issues (go look at the WLS Grads forum), and I think it would be great to address some of these issues together. Anyway, let us know what's going on ... I find some of us Illinoians don't post too terribly much on the state board, but hopefully we can spark a change in that as well. Karyn

Kristi, I'm in Algonquin and would LOVE to be a part of your group! I need some serious help! My sugar addiction is creeping up on me after almost 5 months. I'm almost at that 100lb. mark and will not make it if I don't quit eating the 'bad stuff'!!! Please let me know the ifs/whens/wheres of your group! THANKS! Hollie

I to am in the Suburbs. I am in Downers Grove and am looking for support groups in the area. Is there a list of the ones that are offered. I know of one that is in Chicago, but am not sure that I want to drive into the city if I can avoid it. I looked on this site, but was not successful in finding the info that I needed. Thanks for any info that anyone can share with me. I am new to the area and am in need of support. I am a year postop and am struggling with about 10 pounds of regain. Thanks again. Dawn Cueto RYN 8/24/05 290/203/175 -87 -125 +inches Dr. Juarez Phoenix, AZ