Barix Post -Op Meeting 6/16 w/changes!
Beth,
I've only been to one post-op meeting so far and I plan on being there on Wednesday. I'm just wondering what the advantage is of breaking down into smaller groups based on time out? I think I get breaking down the newly out (like maybe 1 to 2 (or even 3) months) because we've go sooooooo many questions. But at the same time, I've got this weird personality that makes me think if I'm with a bunch of people in the same boat as me, I'm not really going to learn anything or anticipate what's to come. Does that make sense?
For me I want advice and words of wisdom from the people who have actually lived it and I want to listen to what they are experiencing 6 month, 1 year, 5 years out. I want to be able to adjust what I'm doing now so that I'm still succsessing 5 or 10 years down the road.
I'm not complaining, I'm just curious. I'll be there and I'll try anything once (well, I've been know to try things, even things I don't like, more than once). LOL
I didn't realize you guys were all volunteers. Thanks so much for putting your hearts and souls into something for which you get no monetary compensation. I can tell just from the few pre-op and my one post-op meetins that you guys absolutely work hard for us all. Thank you.
I've only been to one post-op meeting so far and I plan on being there on Wednesday. I'm just wondering what the advantage is of breaking down into smaller groups based on time out? I think I get breaking down the newly out (like maybe 1 to 2 (or even 3) months) because we've go sooooooo many questions. But at the same time, I've got this weird personality that makes me think if I'm with a bunch of people in the same boat as me, I'm not really going to learn anything or anticipate what's to come. Does that make sense?
For me I want advice and words of wisdom from the people who have actually lived it and I want to listen to what they are experiencing 6 month, 1 year, 5 years out. I want to be able to adjust what I'm doing now so that I'm still succsessing 5 or 10 years down the road.
I'm not complaining, I'm just curious. I'll be there and I'll try anything once (well, I've been know to try things, even things I don't like, more than once). LOL
I didn't realize you guys were all volunteers. Thanks so much for putting your hearts and souls into something for which you get no monetary compensation. I can tell just from the few pre-op and my one post-op meetins that you guys absolutely work hard for us all. Thank you.
...Bernie
Bernie,
We have gotten lots of feedback on this topic of the Wednesday night meeting which for most is the one support group they can make a month. We all know how important support is to everyone and we all have needs and concerns.
What we have heard in feedback is that we focus many times on the newer out of surgery patients and there is not much time to address issues that veterans may have. All the needs are valid but we seem to be losing longer term people because for them while they understand that everyone needs support the long term needs are not as focused.
So we are going to try this approach to the meeting to see if works.
Now to your concerns you are not limited to stay in any one group while at a meeting. If you want to go to a group that is further out to see what the concerns and issues are you welcome. We are a group with very few rules and ALWAYS strive to get everyone what they need in the support circle.
All of leaders have various length of time out from surgery Dennis has 5 years followed by Mike M with 4 and Arlene and Susan have 3 ..I can not remember everyone time but you see why have a range of experiences behind all of us.
We also just changed up the Saturday meeting a little bit on how we do things and we got good feedback on that rather then breaking down into age groups we did topics. So each group had a wide range of people all in different stages of the WLS journey.
We are going to see how this works and always open to learn how to improve this journey for all of us.
See you there!
We have gotten lots of feedback on this topic of the Wednesday night meeting which for most is the one support group they can make a month. We all know how important support is to everyone and we all have needs and concerns.
What we have heard in feedback is that we focus many times on the newer out of surgery patients and there is not much time to address issues that veterans may have. All the needs are valid but we seem to be losing longer term people because for them while they understand that everyone needs support the long term needs are not as focused.
So we are going to try this approach to the meeting to see if works.
Now to your concerns you are not limited to stay in any one group while at a meeting. If you want to go to a group that is further out to see what the concerns and issues are you welcome. We are a group with very few rules and ALWAYS strive to get everyone what they need in the support circle.
All of leaders have various length of time out from surgery Dennis has 5 years followed by Mike M with 4 and Arlene and Susan have 3 ..I can not remember everyone time but you see why have a range of experiences behind all of us.
We also just changed up the Saturday meeting a little bit on how we do things and we got good feedback on that rather then breaking down into age groups we did topics. So each group had a wide range of people all in different stages of the WLS journey.
We are going to see how this works and always open to learn how to improve this journey for all of us.
See you there!
If it makes a difference coming from a newbie (6 weeks out) - I got a lot out of my first meeting last month listening to the veterans - it's helpful to know that this isn't the magic cure, I am going to struggle, and I do have to watch out for pitfalls and off track moments. So eventually I'll be a veteran - but I'll miss what the "old timers" have to say!
Cindy
"Sure you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. But if catching flies is a priority, nothing beats a dead possum." American Cowboy Magazine
"Sure you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. But if catching flies is a priority, nothing beats a dead possum." American Cowboy Magazine
Hi Cindy,
We really appreciate your kind words about what we do and how we do it. I for one want Everyone to benefit in Every way at Every oppportunity. The Every is not always possible but most of it is... and it shows. As Beth mentioned you are not limited to just joining the young group. You can venture to the older group as well. One thing we will attempt is to have some of our "further outs" be a part of the newbie group too. Keeping in mind this process will be all new to us, however we tend to take the new and make it pretty great.
Weight loss surgery is not a magic cure. It is a tool to be used and can work when all components and protocols are followed as humanly possible as WE CAN. It takes your decision, your hard work, your dedication, and your desire. It takes a solid bariatric program with surgeons, OR staff, pre-surgery staff, after-care staff, nutritionists and administration in place. A program that cares for you and your needs for as long as you need. It takes a patient/support community that will be there with consistency, dedication, love and caring.
I look forward to seeing you Cindy and know that you are in the right place and your journey will be phenomenal. Everything is in place for your successing.
Dennis
We really appreciate your kind words about what we do and how we do it. I for one want Everyone to benefit in Every way at Every oppportunity. The Every is not always possible but most of it is... and it shows. As Beth mentioned you are not limited to just joining the young group. You can venture to the older group as well. One thing we will attempt is to have some of our "further outs" be a part of the newbie group too. Keeping in mind this process will be all new to us, however we tend to take the new and make it pretty great.
Weight loss surgery is not a magic cure. It is a tool to be used and can work when all components and protocols are followed as humanly possible as WE CAN. It takes your decision, your hard work, your dedication, and your desire. It takes a solid bariatric program with surgeons, OR staff, pre-surgery staff, after-care staff, nutritionists and administration in place. A program that cares for you and your needs for as long as you need. It takes a patient/support community that will be there with consistency, dedication, love and caring.
I look forward to seeing you Cindy and know that you are in the right place and your journey will be phenomenal. Everything is in place for your successing.
Dennis
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