Welcome

Welcome to the all new Mpls. Area DS Support Group - obesity help edition.  It's going to take a while for this to get up and running but we have so many of our existing members already active within the obesity help forums, I though the edition of a local online group here would be a valuable resource.  I'm currently going through the obesity help support group leader training program.  Even though I've been facilitating our local group for more than 3 years, obesity help requires all of their support group leaders to attend the training sessions.  Feel free to spread the word about our new group and I'll be building the information base on this resource within the next couple of days.  Let's see if we can make this group as great and informative as our other groups.  We have a reputation to uphold you know!  Let me know if you have any questions. 

Thanks for asking me to join.  I know it will be so helpful since I'm having my surgery with Dr. Buchwald.  Plus I feel as if I know some of you from my trip to MN. Thanks again. Betty

Welcome Betty!  Congratulations, you're the first member!  Now, we're officially a group!  Let the supporting begin!

Tammy, this is awesome as I'm on here daily and not so much with the yahoo group. Thank you for setting this up!

I'm hoping we can cover all of the bases this way and if anyone runs across local people looking for DS information, they can direct them here as well as to the main DS board.  I plan to add a lot of valuable links to this site.

Thanks Tammy...this is so much better that the yahoo forum. I still can't seem to navigate very well through that one. Maybe i'm just a creature of habit lol. I am so bummed that I have not been able to attend any of the support meetings as of yet. I facilitate a weekly Native American Women's Empowerment group every monday evening in Minneapolis. So, I hope to meet you all in person...eventually.

Have a great day everyone!

Annessia (Ness)

I'm out of town right now so I unfortunately, haven't been able to get as much done here as I wanted to.  I will get on it as soon as I get back.  I hope to make this group as big as the yahoo group.  You know, we could always get together for lunch or dinner sometime if that would work for you.  I'm pretty flexible and I really want to meet you!  I can't believe that I wasn't able to stick around after your surgery until you made it to your room that day.  We really need to get together.  You've done incredibly well.  I'm so proud of you!

Hi Tammy,

I am interested in finding support groups to help with questions and my experience with Gastric Bypass Surgery.  I will be celebrating my 6th year Post Surgery.  I have my ups and downs throughout the 6 years and want to start connecting with people are struggling to have it or have had it.  My husband doesn't understand what I'm going through and doesn't understand why I cry every episode of The Biggest Loser.  I keep telling him that I know what they are going through and I really want to help obsese people.  This is definitely out of my comfort zone and I'm really nervous about it but I need to do this. 

Also, I had the plastic surgery to remove excess skin and that was the worst decision I had ever made.  I've had nothing but problems from that surgery and want to educate people who are contemplating that type of surgery as well.  Because, boy if something goes wrong, the surgeon is well protected, not the person having the surgery.  Anyway, let me know when the next meeting is and if I can come a few minutes early to meet you, that may make it a bit easier for me because I'm sure your group is familiar with everyone that attends.

Thanks,
Elizabeth Butler

Hi there. I just got the Lap Band on Feb. 15th in Mexico and am looking for a support group locally. Is this one still active?
Thanks!

This support group is designed for people who have had or are having the duodenal switch procedure.  There are several other groups in the Twin Cities area.  Abbott Northwestern hospital lists them on their website.  However, if you can't find a group, we would welcome you at our meetings.  I'm just afraid that you wouldn't find the support you're looking for since the procedures are so different.