New Support Group at Vanderbilt Center for SWL

 Along with the recent move to One Hundred Oaks, the Vanderbilt Center for Surgical Weight Loss is making improvements to the support group offerings to patients. This includes an addition of a Post-Op patient support group that has been requested by many. Myself and my wife, Missy, will be leading this support group. What we're asking is for some help on what time of day and day of week would fit your schedule? We'd like to try to accommodate as many people as possible, and will actually be adjusting our own schedules if needed to do this. We're thinking a later meeting during the week will be best for the many working people, so that they can attend after work. To us the support groups are very important and as well, increasing the support group attendance will benefit everyone as well. The Vanderbilt Center for SWL is trying to get guests to visit the meetings, if attendance is high enough, such as a plastic surgeon, a exercise physiologist and others that would help us as Post-Op SWL patients. They have been very open and supportive in listening to ideas and criticisms to help to improve their support offerings for SWL patients.  

Missy and I are very excited to start this and open to all ideas and criticism on this, as we want to make this the best Support Group for fellow patients possible. We've been kicking around ideas, in addition to the guest speakers and normal support group round table discussions, things such as clothing exchanges, recipes exchanges, some tutorials, such as lessons on using Daily Plate and such. So please help us by letting us know what will fit your schedule and any ideas or things that you'd like to see included in a Post-Op patient support group. I'm also interested in what others think about the length of the support group meeting. The one we currently attend is only an hour and I think sometimes it could be a little longer. We don't want to lead a group where we feel like we're on a timer or clock, but we also know it needs some structure. So what are your thoughts on length, 1 hour, 1.5 or even 2 hours? Feel free to either post your time & day here and thoughts on the length of your ideal support group or email me at [email protected]  

As well, I want to extend an invitation to all, no matter where you've had your surgery or what surgery you have had, this is open to all, not just Vanderbilt patients and not just RNY patients. Feel free to bring spouses, family members and friends and we'll promise to make it fun and educational.  

Once I get a good number of response and have discussed it with the management at the Vanderbilt Center for SWL, I'll post what the schedule will be for the new support group. I look forward to all responses and ideas and seeing you at the new support group.  

Thanks for your help!

 Cool, Kenny!

I'm going to be very active in the Lap Band support groups (2nd Thursday each month).  Does it matter what surgery you have to attend these meetings?  If it takes numbers to get enough people to have guest speakers like plastic surgeons or exercise physiologists, count me in!

Any night but Tuesdays works for me and I prefer 6 or later, but can come if it's at 5.  Heck, I can even catch the shuttle to 100 Oaks if it's at a different time (like midday).  I'm pretty flexible.

Keep us posted here--sounds like a good thing and I know that attending meetings helps me with accountability and ultimately success!

Thanks!
Denise

 No, sorry, I wrote this the first time around and it was in there, spell checked and then accidently deleted it, doh. But yes all surgeries are welcome and encouraged to attend, as we all have similar issues and support needs. I'm really interested in learning about some of the other surgeries in post-op life. We currently attend the Thursday evening support group that meets twice a month, and still plan on attending that at least once a month, it's nice to help answer all the pre-op patients questions, but there we don't get enough time to learn our for ourselves, which is where this comes in.

As far as time, I'm thinking 5pm or 6pm would work best for most, but just like you, we're pretty flexible. I'm also interested in what others think about the length of the support group meeting. The one we currently attend is only an hour and I think sometimes it could be a little longer. We don't want to lead a group where we feel like we're on a timer or clock, but we also know it needs some structure. So what are your thoughts on length, 1 hour, 1.5 or even 2 hours? 

Thanks!

As well even some of the people that live farther away, I'll try to keep you informed through here, as for the nights that they are wanting to do guest, they are going to ask people to sign up to attend so that we can insure we'll have a large enough turn out. 

 This is very exciting, Kenny.  Count me in totally!

I think it is great to have various surgeries there so we can learn what others are going through.  I'm sure we're all similar but some of the details vary.  Then again, that's the case between people even with the same surgery!

If the topic and speaker were incredible, I'd stay for up to 2 hours.  I know what you mean with sometimes one hour not being enough.  I'd be inclined to schedule it for 1.5 hours (happy medium) and if there is a speaker, have some kind of agenda to keep things on track.

Also, if speakers come, I would encourage them to provide handouts (at least of their presentation) so people can have that information.  I'm one of those dorks that takes notes the whole time, but not everyone does. 

If you want someone to set up a website to have PDF copies of previous presentations, listing the next seminar, the schedule, FAQ, etc., I'd be more than happy to set one up!  Just let me know if you want (or even need) help with it.  I love doing that sort of stuff and I keep it simple and easy using Mac software to do it.

Thanks!
Denise

 That'd be great! We'd love help and will probably take you up on it when the time comes around. I can help you too. I'm a Mac guy as well, I work for a local printing company in their design/prepress department. I think it's great how excited everyone is about this.

I'll get in touch with you soon, either on here or facebook.

Thanks!

Sounds wonderful!!   And this summer, (after school gets out) count me in too!  It is hard for me to get down there during the school year on a regular basis, but I'll do what I can!

Thank you so much for you and Missy's work!

 Great! It'll be good to have you there. Is there a day or time that will work best for you? And Connor is always welcome, if you want to or need to bring him along. Maybe we can bring come up with some activities so he would be bored out of his mind (coloring books, toys, etc.).

Thanks

I would be interested I'm out of town a lot so it might be hit and miss no matter when. I think 1.5-2 would be good and be worth the drive. C'ya Bob

 That's what we're thinking. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one feeling that way. It would be great to meet you, I hope you get to make it to some of the support meetings.

Thanks!

Thank you so much for thinking of him!

During the summer, I'm pretty open, but if it is during the school year, it would be hard to get to Nashville much before 5:30, but if ya'll want to have it earlier and don't mind me sneaking in when I get there, I'll still try and make it.

As far as days..  again, during the summer it is not a big deal, during the school year, I try not to stay out too late with the kiddo so I would leave him with Papa and Grandma, so any day beside the second Wednesday of the month (that is the day of the Cookeville Support group) would do for me.

You can't meet everyone's schedule so you and Missy need to sit down and look and see what best fits your schedule. 

Thank you for all your work!
HUGS