The Atlanta Conference was a BLAST

Well, we did it! We trekked to Atlanta by plane, train and automobile and had wonderful time meeting so many virtual friends we've met online and many more we had yet to meet.

It was soooo good to put hugs to the people we've come to know and care so much about as we have made all of our respective journies. 

The first day many sorted through stacks and rack of clothing donated to the swap meet. I'm sure that there were many who had to purchase a new piece of luggage to take home the new smaller lovelies that were so generously shared and passed down. 

After the clothing swap, many milled about and met in the lobby, but the event really kicked off at the meet and greet where we all met so many of those avatar buddies we have only met virtually. There will people that were just embarking on their journey and had not yet had surgery, newbies that were just a little post op and then a number of 'old timers'. Of course, every surgery type seemed to be well-represented, which was so nice. I think that many of us found that we much more in common in our respective journeys, regardless of the surgery type that we have chosen as the tool to help get control of our weight. 

Saturday morning started off with a corridors of vendors catering to our needs, from compression garments, to supplements, beauty aids to exercise DVDs, inspirational books that included book signings by their well-known authors and much more. 

Once the programs got underway, we had a series of speakers throughout the morning that delved into topics such as behavior issues, discussions of surgery types, and intimacy, then we broke for an absolutely fabulous, delicious lunch that was geared to the needs of those losing and maintaining their weight, but I doubt that I single diner felt the slightest twinge of deprivation. The food was beautifully presented, tasted great, varied and plentiful. 

After lunch they had breakout sessions that addressed a whole range of topics from plastic surgery in Brazil, to Zumba, cooking, tools to help maximize and maintain your weight loss, etc... They ran multiple small sessions so that people could go to more than one topic and so that they were small enough to allow you to hear and see well, as well as ask questions. 

The evening festivities were started off with a 'Fashion Show' where about 25 or 30 participants at varying points of their journeys were able to strut their new bodies, sharing the pride of their accomplishments with so many of their friends and peers. We were all so very proud of everyone who came out to share their new found, healthier, slimmer bodies. 

Finally, many danced away the night fantastic, getting in some pretty good cardio workouts. 

It was a lovely event and if there is an event coming to an area near you, I would absolutely suggest that you mark your calendar and make plans to attend.

 

thanks Barb for the update. It seems like it was a fantastic event.  Thanks for sharing

BRE

Hi Bre,

Glad to do it. 

You are doing a fabulous job with your weight loss! Keep up the good work.

That sounds like SO MUCH FUN!  And so helpful also.  I would love to be able to go sometime. I'm  hitting 200 and soon to drop under - so excited!

It was a lot of fun and there was a some great information. I hope that you'll get to go sometime too.

Let me know when you enter the wonderful world of ONDERLAND! It's truly one of the most Wonderful Places in the World!

 

I went to the conference in Atl and I thought it was great.  I met a lot of really great people and the sessions were very informative.  This is a real learning experience.  I have not had my procedure yet and I will admit that I still am uncertain and uneasy about what is in store for me when I do have the procedure. 

I'm glad that you went to the conference and learned so much. It's normal and even healthy to be a bit uncertain and uneasy about such a huge life change, not to mention one that includes a surgical intervention. That said, I have to tell you that it truly has been a blessing in my life and I hope that it will be one for you if you decide to move forward. Please do come and talk about your fears and concerns. Believe me, you are not the only one with the questions and you will find that others often echo the concerns that are posted as well others that will chime in with support and/or answers. 

Which procedure(s) are you considering? Where are you in the process? 

I look forward to getting to know you better as you make your journey.

I am considering the LapBand and Dr. Eno*****ary is the physician I am considering.  I would like to come to a meeting.  Where do you meet and when.

Thanks for the update. I am sure all that attended had a great time. How do I find out about a conference that would be in my area, or maybe just alittle closer to home. I live in  California about 30 minutes south of San Francisco. Thank for your never ending help. 

Hi Joyce,

If you look at the dark blue drop down menu bar that goes across the top of the screen you'll see a 'tab' that says 'events'. Click on that and it will display the upcoming OH Conferences. I'm not sure where in CA, but there will be a conference somewhere in CA in 2010. 

It's a small world. I'm from the Almaden Valley in the south bay, near Los Gatos. We moved to Raleigh NC about 7 years ago, but I'll always be a California girl at heart. I try to visit at least once a year or so because my sons, mother, sister, in-laws and friends live there. Maybe we can see one another on one of my visits. 

Barb