No Mid-Michigan Support Groups?

I was looking for support group meetings and applaud all of those in the Kalamazoo, Vassar and Flint areas to name a few.  I was disappointed to see that there is not much going on through here in the Lansing area.
I know there is plenty of us...
Just a thought...

I have the same problem.  I am in Ionia, and have been told I would have to go to Lansing for a support group, or Grand Rapids...nothing near me.  I want to begin a support group for my area, but I was told I would need to be at least one year postop, and go through some training.  I have signed up for that this spring already.

That is awesome Dawnie.  Let me know how that goes for you.  Continued success to you.

Dawn,
You can have your own support group right now but not "sanctioned" as a bariatric support group. I mean it's just getting a bunch of people in your area sitting down and getting together as friends.

I do agree that bariatric support groups with professionals are very helpful. I go to 2 different ones when I need it but love my 1st Saturday of the month with Jen Emmerich who does most of the psych evals for Dr. Verseman. Her Saturday group deals with "head issues" and Ben's group that meets at the Borgess Health and Fitness Center is into education, he gives handouts and opens it up for discussion after he does his education piece. Ben is a Surgery RN who went for additional Bariatric Training and his mom Rebecca is an RN and is our Bariatric coordinator/director. I consider Rebecca, Ben and Jen not only educated in the world of bariatric WLS but friends.

Regardless, if you need to meet with people, do it socially and get together! Good for you signing up for training. Support is what we all need.  Good luck! Debbiejean

 You don't need to be 1 year post-op and you don't need special training. You only need a passion for supporting and helping other WLS patients. See my response to Rich and see this page on my blog for more info:

http://pamtremble.blogspot.com/p/wls-support-group-topics.html

If you can't find a peer-based local support group -- start your own! It's easy and will benefit you and all those in  your area. It can be as simple as getting together once or twice a month for coffee and chat. As you grow and become more formal, the group's structure and meetings can also become more structured. 

I have a section on my blog that talks about the 3 different support groups I attend and how they are organized. I also try to keep the topic index updated with the most recent information I provide to my own groups. And I'm in the process of writing my second book that will be a resource tool for support group leaders with lessons, lesson plans and discussion worksheets for members. 

http://pamtremble.blogspot.com/p/wls-support-group-topics.html

Pam, thanks for all that.  I want a local group and I will have to check with Sparrow as in another reply I've received.  I can get together with my surgeon's group and will, but I was looking outside this group for greater perspectives.  I will have to start having a meeting at my restaurant just a friends roundtable approach and then get with a plan as we see what interest there is.

Congrats on the book, there is a local book called "The Real Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery".  I wasn't aware of this boo****il my brother told me about it, because he was mentioned in the foreward for contributions.  It was written by two ladies and they reflect on their individual ups and downs along with the obstacles they had.  Nicely written with a relaxed tone.  They are both involved with the OAC Obesity Action Coalition that deals with Obesity discrimination now and I looked them up on the web.  Man I had it easy compared to other individuals and states rules.  Alabama tried to say if you were obese that you couldn't dine out in a restaurant.

I know I ramble on some of these sites so hope I didn't bore you.
Good luck with the writing!
Rich

 There are several support groups at the Sparrow Weight Management Center.

I am going through Sparrow and they have a nice support system.  Definitely check into that.  Everyone is so kind and helpful.

Do you know if they will take people that didn't go through their system?  I was going to go through them, but they had an incredible hurdle to overcome for me.  They had a mandatory meeting, workout, weigh in thing that couldn't work with my non traditional work schedule.