It was great to see so many in Raleigh yesterday!

This month's in-person support group meeting was held at the "Golden Corral" in Raleigh today. We had a very nice turn-out with about 40 members, despite the incredibly cold morning.

The 'Thought for the Month' was Making Changes. We talked about how this journey is about making changes... some big and some small. We talked about making a list of the changes we want to make. Prioritizing those changes and then picking one to work on each month.

When we introduced ourselves as we went around the room, many shared some of the changes that they would like to make in the coming months.

We had a clothing swap which allowed some of us to gain some much needed room in our closets, while allowing others to shop through some of the goodies that were donated by friends that no longer needed them. It was a win/win situtation.

We will be maintaining the monthly in person general support group meetings on the 3rd Saturday morning of each month, but because our group has grown to be so large, I have started a few special interest groups and we talked about them at this meeting. We now have a Grads Group that addresses issues of interest to those who have had at least one surgiversary, a Banders Group the addresses issues of interest to those with restrictive only WLS and on Over50 BMI Group that addresses issues of interest to those who started their journey with BMIs over 50. These special interest groups are open to anyone who would like to join in, but the focus of the discussions is directed towards the specific special interest. If you are interested in attending the monthly support group meeting or one of the special interest groups, you can get information for the upcoming meetings at http://wls.meetup.com/101

We are arranging to have some special events. The first will be a seminar put on by a local plastic surgeon that has experience with WLS patients. I took a show of hands to determine interest and as expected, it was very high.

We also sent a "We're Thinking of You" card around. As you know, we all have our 'reasons' for taking the plunge and having WLS. For one of our members, the big reason was that she wanted to start a family and her weight was standing in the way. Forturnately, her surgery was successful, she lost the excess weight and has been blessed with a pregnancy. Unfortunately, there has been a complication that has caused her to be hospitalized for the remainder of the pregnancy, so we passed around the card so that everyone could send her our loving concern. A few of us went to hospital afterwards to share the card and visit for a while and I have to say that Deb (and Ryan) look great!

 

Sounds like a great meeting!  I hate to have missed it.  My own meeting in Asheboro went well but the focus was quite different so I'm going to try to make sure I do not miss the next WLS meeting!

I am very much looking forward to the seminar with the plastic surgeon!  I didn't think this was something I'd ever really care much about but even now at onlly 3 months out - - I can see I am going to feel differently soon! 

best,

Fre

Hi Cindy,

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Did you say "meeting in Asheboro?????!!!!!"  Please tell me you did...Is there a group here?

 Thank you everyone for the card!  It was really sweet and lifted me up.  Ryan and I read through it after our visitors were gone for the day.  I also wanted to say thanks to Barb, Lisa and Carrie for stopping by.  It felt like hanging out with friends and helped pass some more time!  :)  

Hey Deb,

We enjoyed hanging out with you too! Maybe we can do it next month as well.

Hugs,

Barbara,it was my first time attending but will not be my last.Thanks for making me feel so welcomed, and you and the others do a great job with the meeting.
Harold

Hey Harold,

It was great meeting you as well. Ben loves all the ladies, but also loves having some guys around as well to share experiences with. We all look foward to getting to know you better.