I've got a busy day filled with errands and preparing for a trip to NYC for a pre-op consult for my daughter Sarah. I've also got to swing by my back Dr's office to pick up another Rx for pain meds so that I can handle the trip. I'm hoping that eventually that will go away... the back pain. 

I need to see about planning dinner tonight and I think we might have grilled fajita salads; flavor packed and healthy to boot! I love having meals that both make my mouth water and support my goals to remain healthy. It's such a win/win.

Well, I'd better head out and get those errands run. :)

Hi Don,

First of all, congratulations on your success thus far. 

Secondly, I have a large support group that meets in N Raleigh the 3rd Saturday morning of each month. I also host a number of special interest groups throughout the month. The group is very diverse, with representation from just about every surgical program in the greater RTP area and beyond. We have quite a few members from Duke because it's the largest program in the area, but we also have members from other programs in the area and transplants that have moved here from out of state. We have members who come from Winston-Salem, Hillsborough, Greensboro, Clayton, Wilson, Rocky Mount, Cary, Chapel Hill, Pittsboro.... on and on, so I host the meetings near Brier Creek because it seems to be most centrally located. We have representation from just about every surgery type. We also have people that are just contemplating WLS to those who are a decade or more post op. 

You are most welcome to attend the general meeting as well as any of the special interest groups that I host. The special interest groups are smaller and more intimate and are held at a restaurant. The General Meeting is larger; normally ranging from 25 to 45 members and is held at the American Cancer Society Conference Center in North Raleigh

My meetings are peer-to-peer meetings. I started them because I needed more peer support than I was able to get at my monthly support group meetings at Duke. That said, I still attend the support group meetings Duke hosts. The monthly topics vary and I also bring in guest speakers from time to time. I was delighted that my own surgeon attended the meeting we just had this past Saturday and made himself available for questions and answers. Next month, Dr. Karl Schwarz, a plastic surgeon who has experience with bariatric patients will be our guest speaker. 

If you would like information about upcoming meetings, please feel free to join my meetup group. The url for my group is www.meetup.com/nc-wls.

I look forward to getting to know you.

All the best,