Big Rapids area - are you interested?

I have a call in to Rita at MMPC about how to start a support group up here. Please let me know if you are interested so I can give her an approximate number of people when she calls back on Monday. I called the contact person and number that was in the Big Rapids paper and it leads right to Dr. Scholten's office. They do not put in the paper that it's for his patients only so it seems anyone should be welcomed but I guess not.

I am most certainly interested! I was actually about to call MMPC myself about this when I saw your post!! Wow. I have a sister-in-law who would also be interested. My biggest question is if this will be a support for MMPC patients ONLY, or will anyone be welcome to come and join in? I really don't want that "exclusive club" thing going on. Not my style at all. I know I didn't enjoy the "you are not one of us" attitude at Dr. Scolten's support group - and I sure don't want to pass that kind of attitude along to anyone else! They told me that Dr. Scolten's patients have tried to go to the MMPC support groups and they have actually been charged to attend because they were not MMPC patients!!! I don't know if this is true, but that's what the facilitator told me. I'd really like to find just a generic WLS support group that ANYONE can attend, no matter who did the surgery!

By the way - I am a professional group facilitator. It's what I do for a living. I would not want to be the head person for this group, or even do it all the time, but I would be happy to help out in any way if needed. I have had lots of training and experience, and I have a Bachelor's Degree in Health Care Administration. Bonnie

Hi Ann: I would be interested...so if it's not just an MMPC thing...please count me in! Also, I have two other WLS friends in BR (who do happen to be MMPC patients) that would most likely be interested too. How cool is that? I am excited at the mere thought... Maria W.

I don't see why it has to be an MMPC thing but I'll know more then Rita calls back on Monday. It's too bad the other group isn't more accepting because we're all trying to reach the same goal.

IM from Owosso and a long ways from Big Rapids, But I am a patient of Dr Scoltons and I feel uncomfortable in his patient group meetings. People tend to treat him as a god and I dont believe God walks on earth as mortal man .

Hey Ann I know that there is a group of MMPC patients around the Cadillac area who meet but I am not sure when they do. They contacted me about joining the group but I live to far away. I think that MMPC would have the information if you called and talked to Scott or Brian. I used to be a MMPC patient and Dr Foote did my original surgery two years ago and took care of me when I got sick but know I have defected to Scholton and Vanderkolk for my revision this past summer. I wish you all good luck on forming your support group because that is the key to success. Tricia

Thanks Tricia. I do have a call in to MMPC to see what we can do. I really don't want to travel to Cadillac and if there's enough people in the Big Rapids area that will come, I think we can be successful.

I got a newsletter from MPC and the topic of support groups was in there. I now have a better contact person but there are some guidelines that we might have to meet. If we can't do you still want to get together?

I am very interested in participating in a support group in the Big Rapids area that is not EXCLUSIVELY for either MMPC or Dr. Scolten patients - but is a support group for all interested WLS people. As I said, I was told by the facilitator at Dr. Scolten's group that MMPC was charging "non-MMPC" people for attendance in "their" support groups! By the same token, Dr. Scolten's support group does NOT want MMPC patient's there either! That's just too political for me. I'm looking for a support group for people who have had WLS or are contemplating it, not some kind of a specific physician fan club. Thanks for checking into this, Ann, and please keep us posted on what you find out! I'll be happy to pitch in and help if you need it. Bonnie