Starting a support group

Okay what do you have to do to start a support group - there are several of us here in the Midlands who would love to be able to meet with others maybe once a week or either every other week to encourage and support each other. What are the requirements or whatever that you have to do to get started? Carolyn

I know that here in charleston two ladies that were considering WLS started meeting at applebee's and rumor has it that lots of margaritas were drunk. They started posting it on the board and slowly people started coming. I was one of the late comers from the original group. We had our surgeries roughly around the same time and now beg and plead for newbies to join us so that we can answer question and support and be supported by them. MUSC only has a monthly meeting, they do not endorse our group, but Dr Byrne has threatened to come by to see us on some of our wilder nights. Ours is very informal and just a bunch of friends meeting for dinner (we go to pizza inn because they let us order a kids meal) Good Luck. I love my support group and all of the people that I've met Mary

Hi Carolyn. Mary is right, except I think it was Mudslides we drank...lol. Anyway, there are not requirements. We started with a few people who were thinking about surgery and grew into a large group of people who try to be there for each other. We posted on this board and told people we were meeting and they were welcome. People came out of the woodwork! Good luck! Susann

Hey Carolyn! I love in Lexington and I would love to meet with anyone around here to get to know others like me. So, please let me know when we can all meet! Jodie

Hey Carolyn! Thanks for posting this! Sounds like it wil work! I am excited about this! Think about when, and where we all would like to meet? Our house is always open and an option? 10 more days till my BIG DAY!!!! WoooHooo!! Getting close!! Yours too!!! We will be on the LOSING side soon!! Hope to hear from you soon! Your friend Cindy

Good luck, Carolyn, we've tried several times in the past to get a Midlands group together but have had no luck. Maybe you'll be more successful! Lisa

Alright then I have had enough people express an interest in this and would like to get something going within the next week - anyone interested please email with open dates and times that you are available and your locations and we will set something up that can be as central to everyone as possible. Looking forward to hearing from all soon - my best time is this Saturday if at all possible - anytime during that day or evening. My email is [email protected] - please put support group in the subject line. Carolyn

WAY TO GO MS CAROLYN ... WHAT A WONDERFUL THING TO DO, TO START A SUPPORT GROUP IN YOUR AREA! YOU WON'T BE SORRY. EVEN WHEN I CAN'T GO TO THE LCBBuddies THURSDAY EVENING MEETINGS, I'M STILL ABLE TO GIVE & RECEIVE SUPPORT BECAUSE WE CAN STILL E-MAIL & PHONE ONE ANOTHER & GET TOGETHER AT OTHER TIMES. YOU GAIN SO MANY WONDERFUL FRIENDSHIPS ... IT'S REALLY A BLESSING! GOD BLESS YOU ... DAWN & NICk