Support, Dallas Style
Today, Kaitlin and I hosted our first ever support group for the Bariatric Bad Girls Club of North Texas. I have to admit, as excited as I was to be venturing out, I was also nervous. I did not really know what to expect when I rolled up to the church today . Would anyone even show up? What if it was a total flop? Once I got out of my car to set up, I was really too busy to worry too much about all of that, but it was definitely in the back of my mind.
Many thanks to Beth for the shirt donation! I already splattered Click on it. 
It's in the dryer... This is how I fail. Also, waiting on Kaitlin to share meeting pics later.
As I started hauling my goodies up to the classroom, I noticed a rather large meeting involving model trains going on across the hall. It didn’t really dawn on me that there would be increased traffic up there, even though I was told about there being another meeting. I immediately noticed that the entire hallway was blocked. The fat girl in me felt very vulnerable because a) I had to squeeze through the tiny remaining space and b) I realized I would have to assert myself and ask them to move for my girls’ sakes. I shouldn’t have felt so uneasy about it. They were as wonderfully gracious as could be about it. That’s just one of my hangups, I guess.
In true BBGC fashion, we served Click and cupcakes. The cupcakes were from the Pillsbury sugar free mixes (yellow cake and vanilla frosting), turned lemon with some help from Crystal Light. The Click was a hit, of course. The only problem was the, um, leaking blender. Many thanks to Waneen Woeman for catching that! Kaitlin also brought Mio to share. I do believe I’ll have to add that to my arsenal of awesomeness. Yummy peach tea with no caffeine!
As we started to talk and get to know each other, one thing became very clear. Many veteran post-ops who are more than two years out need support and do not feel that they have a place to land. Work schedules and other obligations prevent regular attendance at weeknight meetings with surgeon sponsored groups. Post-ops who have needed revisions or have endured complications feel ostracized or unwelcome in a support group comprised mainly of newbies. Even for those of us with few or no complications, it becomes a different ballgame once the honeymoon is over, that’s for sure.
The ladies (and gentleman) who showed up today are courageous, strong, and beautiful. Right away you could sense the overwhelming acceptance and mutual respect in the room. I was hoping we could be that different kind of support group in the Dallas area, and it looks like that’s exactly what we are. Thanks to all who showed up today, because YOU made the meeting fun, supportive, and educational.
Stay tuned for June 11th information! We will start off with a walk/run at White Rock Lake, followed by our meeting, and then… Well, we’re still figuring that part out. Who’s up for Ethiopian food?
June 11 - I'LL BE THERE............EVEN IF I HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE PULL ME THERE.....I WILL BE THERE !! ((((((((((((huggs))))))))))))))))
- Pease check out Dr. Connie Stapleton's Website. A lot of good information on there for all WLS patients regardless of the surgery you chose. Good luck to all and I'm here for you if you want to send me an email. I'll answer it as soon as possible.
- Total Lost: 139 lbs
- Current Weight: 263
- As of 11-10-13 I have had weight gain. Not happy about that.
- RNY: 10-16-07 = 338: Highest weight: 350+ Lowest Weight: 199
- Pease check out Dr. Connie Stapleton's Website. A lot of good information on there for all WLS patients regardless of the surgery you chose. Good luck to all and I'm here for you if you want to send me an email. I'll answer it as soon as possible.
- Total Lost: 139 lbs
- Current Weight: 263
- As of 11-10-13 I have had weight gain. Not happy about that.
- RNY: 10-16-07 = 338: Highest weight: 350+ Lowest Weight: 199
Hugs,
B
