I need help from a fellow 401/508 person

I'm a lapband patient of Dr Vernon at Brigham and Women's hospital.  I love my dr and the program through the hospital but getting to the support groups is way too much of a commute and I have never gotten much out of it.  There are some people in the group that monopolize it when they should be honestly seeing therapist for the issues they are bringing up.  Both my nutrionist and Dr agree and suggested I try to find a support group closer to me in Rhode Island.  Maybe I can find some people to work out with also?  I have a membership to the Y in Attleboro (I love that Y).  I need a kick start.. I need to get my body moving but I just don't have any friends that I share that type of dynamic with.  Maybe there are fellow WLS patients that can help me out?  I know there is a group that meets on Saturday mornings to walk in Lincoln but I work on Saturdays.  :(  Help!!  I will be a strong supporter of your success.. I need some support here in my area! Courtney

Hi Courtney, There is a group that meets once a month at Gerry House at RI Hospital.  Unfortunately we don't really live close enough to be workout buddies, but we could check in with one another.  Maybe share some goals and then be sideline cheerleaders.  Send me an PM and let me know...  You can do this....

Thank you for the response Danielle.  Do you think that the group at RI Hospital will accept me even though I am a Boston patient?  I think I do need to be meeting with people live and start communicating with other band patients...

Yes the will accept you for sure!!!! 

Hi Courtney, Sorry to be such a duh, what's a 401/508 person? Do you mean area codes?  While I haven't had  the lap band, I had by-pass, the monthly meetings were incredibly helpful to me. I can't say every meeting at the Gerry House has been top of the line, but for the most part there's a lot of questions answered and support given. At times an individual has displayed some issues that could use additional "support", but that's available too as the group is run by a psychologist, nutritionist, bariatric teaching nurse, usually one, or more of the surgeons and sometimes the physical therapist. I hope you'll be able to attend the meeting in September.

Hey, I love that Y in Attleboro too. I used to go to water aerobics all the time a while back. Unfortunately that was back when I was laid off, I haven't been in a long time, it's too far now that I'm working in Upton and take care of my mom right after work. I am lucky to have a gym where I work. Whereabouts do you live? I spend a lot of time on the Blackstone bike path. Pam

I do mean area codes, thanks Pam.  When did you go to water aerobics, I wonder if I saw you there.  There was about a year straight I went to pretty much every morning and evening class.  You're so sweet for taking care of your mom, that's awesome.  Maybe we could meet on the path sometime?  I live across from the Monastary and spend time in the woods around that property.  Water is my favorite type of workout because I hate to feel sweat! :D

Hi Courtney   Welcome aboard! Hoping to see you at the next support group meeting. Do you know a lady named Amy from the Y? She is a fixture on their wall there! :) She's an awesome person, and has been trying to make me go for over a year now. I go to the Monastery quite often. I grew up in Cumberland, always will be my favorite territory! I want to go back too! Live in NP now.  :(   ~Dawn

If Amy is there that much then I probably have seen her!  Once you start going regularly you see the same people over and over and over.  The paths around the monastery are great.  If you ever see someone with a little white fluffy bear looking dog that's probably me.  Unless it's the old guy that has a bichon, then it's someone else! Maybe you should help kick my ass and get me walking more over there.  I think I'm doing all the right eating thing but I know from when I was doing weigh****chers that I worked out all the time and I dropped weight SO QUICKLY!

I doubt very much you ever saw me, it was several years ago. I really enjoyed it and have been having a hard time finding another closer to home. I too am not a big fan of the sweating thing. I've never walked on the trails near the Monastary, except when they had a Renaissance Fair mmmaaannny  years ago. I'd love to have a walking partner on the Blackstone path, especially as the weather gets cooler and the trees begin to turn. It should be gorgeous! Pam

Hi Courtney,... I'm from Attleboro .. I had a membership to the Attleboro Y .. I didn't renew it because I didn't feel comfortable there .. I'm so glad for you that you do feel comfortable .. .. To me soon as you walk in there is the turn-style and I didn't like that .. And I didn't like having to ask them to open the gate everyday when I went..(I was going 5 days a week)  when I signed up i didn't see the turnstyle .. if I had I wouldn't have joined.  Also I felt people were watching me .. or maybe it was just me thinking they were .. but I didn't like having to be on a time limit on the treadmills .. that was the only thing I was doing so to have to get off in 30 minutes if someone needed it was a turn off to me.  I am looking to join a gym again .. not sure if the Y is the place for me again ... If you'd like add me as a friend and we can chat .. I am looking for someone to work out with and to walk with. and as you said ....  I will be a strong supporter of your success.. I need some support here in my area! Thanks .. ~Kelly