Enjoyed Support Grp and seeing new faces seen on OH

Good to put names and faces together.   Hope to join the fun and getting out with you all when you all have outings.  Vicki

 Vicki, enjoyed meeting you last night also!  I was a little bummed out by the end of the evening, thinking that the good chaplain could have put a cap his talk a lot sooner.  But I did enjoy hearing everyone's discussion on different "issues".  After reflecting on some of what was said last night, I am reminded of this: we all have a story to tell, a journey to share.  Keeping our successes and our sorrows to ourselves only slows down the healing.  Sharing with others reminds us that none of us are alone in this journey... so glad to see you last night and hope to see you again.  Happy Wednesday!!!

I agree that the topic last night was WAY too long.  Not that it wasn't a worthy topic but just not that long!  I get more from the support groups when there is sufficient time for discussion of current issues and concerns!  I enjoyed finally meeting you Vicki!  LOL....even though I feel like I know you from on here! I'm glad that one gentleman who was 5 days out showed up so we all could let him know EVERYTHING he was thinking and feeling was totally "on track."  I felt so bad for him he looked SOOOO sad and confused! Too many people go into this without a good support network and actually absorbing all that is thrown at you during the education classes prior to surgery is very difficult when all you can think about is "i'm getting surgery, I'm getting surgery, I'm getting surgery"  I'm guilty of this myself but thankfully I have family who was already banded and friends on here who help guide me when I get lost. I do think Norton's could do a little better with patient education POST surgery.

  Welcome Vicki.. last night was a lot long but I really liked the way he had done his research. The chaplain at suburban DID NOT do that..      I also agree that the surgeons and norton's should work on the aftercare surgery education. Dr.Sonnastein and the georgetown doctors really sound like they have it going on witht he aftercare education...    I hate that we didnt get to talk.. and how FABLULOUS did missy and becka look??? you girls are looking awesome.. Becka you are really starting to change before our eyes... dawn

Well dang it!!  You've made go and get all misty-eyed now!!!! Thank you! You also are looking HOT by the way!   You are an inspiration to me!!

Becka my wheels in my mind have been turning for a long time now about this no aftercare thingy with USA group and looking at other Dr's like Dr. Curry and his new v enture in a total aftercare center with a Gym, trainers, Nut, and counselors.   I myself would be willing to pay like 25.00 a month for maybe some kind of aftercare or even have a mentoring system going on like adopting a newbie that has surgery and be there for them where they can either email their mentor or call their mentor when they are having feeling like the gentlemen had last night. I am also on a quest to go after Nortons hospital, did you all know that Nortons being a Bariatric Center of Excellence does not provide WLS on their employees insurance. WTH I went off the deep end when the nurses that took care of my hubby and the admitting clerk indicating that their Humana Insurance through Nortons does not cover it.....  I am going to talk to my PCP as he is a part of Nortons Hospital and I am going to talk to Dr. Rod next visit in August...   I want to lobby insurances to start taking hold that Obesity is a diease and include WLS as an option on their insurances they provide for their employees OK stepping down off the soap box But I did enjoy everyone last night. Vicki

Ya know Vicki, I'm right there with you on wishing the Bariatric Group or USA would provide better aftercare.  Two groups meetings a month is great but there's so many people that are falling through the cracks were a series of simple post-surgical follow-up calls would catch them!  My biggest concern about trying to organize something though is liability issues!  In this lawsuit happy world we live in good intentions isn't enough to protect someone if another person thought they were wronged. Once Gracie gets into school this fall, I'm going to start seriously investigating some options for myself in regards to the provision of bariatric support services.  Although I am a stay at home mommy I am also have a Master's Degree in Social Work.  I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to get into bariatrics in some way.   I have done advocacy work with people and familes that have mental retardation.  Patient education and advocacy for bariatrics might just be right up my alley! Let's revisit this idea frequently and see what we can come up with!! 

As you all know...I agree with Becca! If it weren't for you guys I would have already thrown in the towel.  I think that it was awesome that the gentleman was able to admit to his feelings and worries. It actually gave me the courage to admit also. I hope that he heard what we were saying and realized he is really doing well!  I enjoyed getting to meet the newest members! I hope they contiue to come!  I hope they get on here and keep in touch as well! Dale on the other hand is no longer allowed to come with me. He can be such an a**! We stopped on the way home for ice cream....ff/sf frozen pineapple yogurt for me! A small cup at that! Yummy! Anyway...he got a hot fudge sundae and kept asking me if I wanted a bite....temptation is not a friend to me! I said no, but could I have a taste. of the hot fudge only.....the size of an eraser head literally!  Well...he said no, he shouldn't because then he is just enabling me to work against the band and that my spirituallity would just yell at me for it later!  Well.....I sat there a minute and then I turned and looked him in the eye and told that that was the last meeting he would go to with me. I told him that instead of being condenscending to me and making a snide remark like that, he could have just said no or nothing at all. He had taken what all the Rev had said and twisted it. I was fumming because I had told only 20 minutes prior about how I enjoyed the meetings because it was like they pumped up my determination and reaafirm why I started this. I need that. I need that positive input from everyone and their stories! Needless to say he was shocked that I remained calm for one thing after that remark, and secondly that I told him I did not want his negativity about my weight struggle anymore and that I was taking control over it and putting a stop to his participation in it. Not a word was said from him.  This is one of the changes in me that I have noticed. I speak up for myself and about myself. I know I need to do this because no one else can. He does not like this aspect. But you know what....this is me...take it or leave it.

MEN!!!  Gotta love 'em though cause sometimes they just don't realize when they've stepped into a big old stinkin pile of DOO-DOO!! Good for you though!  Take control of your journey and let him know what you EXPECT from him if he chooses to participate and support you in this journey.  Don't accept anything less because YOU are worth it!  Now this doens't mean the journey to HIS enlightenment won't be just as long as our journey to better health and skinny jeans.....  

"Well.....I sat there a minute and then I turned and looked him in the eye and told that that was the last meeting he would go to with me. I told him that instead of being condenscending to me and making a snide remark like that, he could have just said no or nothing at all. "    GOOD FOR YOU!!! It's up to you to make this a positive experience, and he needs to be a support system.. I was suprised he was with you!!! I thought maybe it would be a good experience for you.. Im sorry it wasnt.. Todd really got alot of the one he went to and was suprised at some of the things he heard..      Your doing great LeAnn..  Im proud of you, you would have never spoke up before and last night you were happy and outgoing!!! I think we have all come a longgggg way!!   Dawn