I am obese. I am only one of many like me. Together, we represent a community with common goals and struggles. Though our journeys and choices may be different, we are bonded together by the common challenges of being obese and the strategies, successes and struggles that entails. It is this bond that defines our support group.

If I've qualified for weight-loss surgery it is because my doctor and surgeon have performed the appropriate screening steps. I most likely have a Body Mass Index of 40 or more, or a BMI of 35 or more with weight-related co-morbidities, as well as a medical history which has proven that my weight is diet and exercise resistant.

I am working or have worked with my healthcare team to detemine the best surgical option for me. I am confident that others have done so as well.

I will respect the decisions of my fellow weight-loss surgery neighbours, regardless of their surgery choice, where they decide to have it, the surgeon they chose to perform it and the nutritional and exercise plan they follow.

I will freely share the most accurate information I have, my own personal journey and the reasoning I used to make the surgery choices I made. I will do this in an informative, educational and respectful way so that others may learn from my weight-loss surgery experience.

I will always promote a healthy lifestyle, whether physical or mental, and will respect alternate methods and views toward achieving good health.

I will always be sensitive, honest and respectful when contributing to discussions in this support group. I will never demean or invalidate others regarding their comments, questions and decisions. I will remember at all times the difficulties and pain I've gone through in my own journey and be considerate of others when they are discussing theirs.

I will adhere to this creed in an effort to preserve the supportive and tolerant atmosphere of our support group.