Next Ocean County WLS Support Group Meeting

The next meeting of the Ocean County WLS Support Group is scheduled for Friday, May 6th at 7:30pm -- 525 Jack Martin Blvd, in Brick, NJ - 3rd floor. We are not affiliated with any Dr or hospital, and are strictly a group of post-op WLS patients getting together to offer each other support, encouragement and share experiences. We are restricted to post-op or "seriously pre-op" WLS'ers. If you need any additional information, please e-mail me. Hope to see you there!

Hello Nannette. Approximately how many people in your group? Do you run the group? I was doing research recently on how groups find places to meet. The larger they get, the harder it can be to accomodate people. Thanks so much for sharing your information here!

Hi Eric -- We have a membership of approximately 35 people, with normal meetings having between 9 -18 in attendance. We meet in the elevator lobby after office hours (having outgrown an office) of the 3rd floor of a building that predominately houses individual medical offices. No, I don't run the group, but was one of the original six founding members! Originally, our facilitator was a LCSW who had WLS, but she has now relocated to another state. She was kind enough to have enlisted the help of another LCSW which she knew in the building (who has not had WLS) who facilitates the group and helps keep us on track. As one of the "old-timers," I do my part to spread the word and provide whatever support and help that I can.

Wow -- that's neat. The original LCSW moved on but the group remains. Does the actual meeting take place in the lobby area of the third floor, near the elevators? Room for about 20 people to sit down there? We're looking for miscellaneous places for groups to meet in in the NJ area. I don't know one way or another, but OH might wind up being helpful in matching growing groups with more comfortable areas where they can meet. Looks like you all did well where you are (though I'm still trying to imagine room for 20 people on a 3rd floor . ) I was wondering, what are some of the things you do to keep your group exciting? Do you have much luck getting guest speakers? Do you try to get guest speakers? Do you have any problem with the same people talking about the same things meeting after meeting, causing other people to get board or annoyed? What's it like, in general, helping run a group? If someone were very very very pre op (say, insurance/approval wise), but very very very hard core & interested, would they be welcome at your group? As you can tell, I'm still in the beginning stages of doing some of my homework on groups. OH (ObesityHelp) is determined to become more explicitly useful to groups this year.

Nanette, ObesityHlp is launching their Chapter program. Which is our way of reaching out to the support groups around the nation. Check out our program at: http://www.obesityhelpchapters.com/ We have many items to help keep support groups on track with information and hands outs, along with a built in support system for all of the leaders. Please feel to e-mail me or to call me with any questions that you might have. Monica Ganz, Ph.D. Director of Events and Chapters 866-957-4636 X 385 [email protected]