Relocating to Knoxville!!!

Hello everyone! I will be relocating to the Knoxville area from freezing cold Minnesota in about six months. I am about four months post op and am looking for a few resources. Does anyone have any recomendations for support groups or bariatric physicians in that area or in Southeastern KY? Where do you get your supplements? Thanks! Hannah

Hi Hannah, welcome to our state when you move. There's Dr.Boyce who is a barriatric surgeon. Just south of Knoxville is Dr. Colquitt/Ray in Maryville. They have a support group every month. They did my surgery 3 months ago. If I can be of any further help don't hesitate to ask. I live 45 miles east of Knoxville. Always here, Kathy

Thanks so much Kathy!! I've actually been through Bean Station, sorry, but couldn't help but giggle at the name of the town a little It's a gorgeous area though! I'm really looking forward to being an active part of this board! Hannah

Hi Hannah, Dr. Boyce has a several support groups in various parts of the city and one in Oak Ridge. I don't know how big they are or how well attended. I am on a couple of their yahoo groups and not much is going on there. The actual support groups are probably more active. The yahoo group is KnoxvilleWLS. This is the official one. There is another one: EastTnWLS. That one didn't have much activity at all and I no longer read it. They are both nice groups and the people are nice. I think it is more a case of no one trying to keep a conversation going. I know when there have been new people or specific questions, there is a flurry of activity. Join them and get to know some of the people. My surgery was done by Dr. Colquitt in Maryville, TN which is about 45 minutes away from me. (or close to the airport) :P He has several support groups. One is specific for banders, one specific for bypass and a 6-month group. All of the meetings are held in Maryville. It's not a bad drive and, depending on which part of K'ville you will be living in, it might be closer to you. You would be welcome to attend any of the support groups. I don't know about southeastern KY. There is a group in the Tri-Cities Area (Bristol, Johnson City, and one other that escapes me) I think they have an active group. There are more groups in Chattanooga and Nashville and Memphis on the other end of the state. I get my protein shakes online. Both Dr. Colquitt and Dr Boyce have some in their office for sale. I think Dr. Boyce has a lot more, vitamins, etc. I live in west Knoxville. If I can help, email me. Mary

Hannah, I just read your profile. I'm a quilter too. There is a quilting forum here but it's slow. Everybody is out buying fabric. Mary

Thanks for all the info!! I really appreciate it! The quilting forum is soooo slow, it's unfortunate! I love talking with other quilters. I am really looking forward to taking a trip over to Paducah, KY next year for the big quilt show. You'll have to tell me about all the quilt shops and things like that in the area. Do they do a spring shop hop there? I hope so! What kinds of quilts do you make? I've been venturing into applique recently and am really enjoying it. I'm working on a Baltimore Album wall hanging at the moment...we'll see if I can fini****hee hee Hannah

I've never been to the Paducah show but I go to the one in Nashville, which is in mid-august. Move early. I haven't sewn much in the last couple of years but I have been feeling so good since the bypass that I've started again. All I've done are lap quilts and wall hangings but I have a queen size quilt in me and it's gotta come out soon. No spring hop here. Maybe you will be the one to start it. ;) There is one in the tri-state area and at least there was. There aren't many quilt shops in Knoxville. There are several in the outlying areas and also around the Smokies. There is a big guild here and they are active. I haven't done much applique due to my eyes. I got one cataract taken off yesterday and it's now 20-20. When I get the other one done, there will be no stopping me. I've taken a couple of applique classes and even started a butterfly quilt. I don't think I have enough patience or time for a Baltimore quilt. Baltimore wall hanging... maybe ;) My next project will be fabric dying. I have everything I need. I just need time to do it. Would you believe it? I am retired. Since my bypass I'm on the go so much that nothing gets done. How did I ever find time to be sick? Oh, when you move to TN, bring extra fabric. It's a TN State Law that new quilters have to share their stash. Take care, Mary P

Well, welcome to the area. I grew up in Western Wisconsin on the Minnesota border. Rachael

Where in WI?? I spent a good portion of my childhood and teenage years in Red Wing, MN. Across from Ellsworth, WI. Is it nice to be away from the constant Packers/Vikings debate? That was the bad part of growing up in a "border town" as they call it. Hannah

I grew up in Prescott, WI across from Hastings. If you are a native Wisconsinite you never escape the debate. My Dad actually just sent me a packer's rain coat! Rachael