NancyintheNorth

Hello there everyone,
If you live in the local GTA area, I want to tell you about a new local support group. I'm going to be the new chapter leader in the Oakville/Mississauga/Burlington area.
I was banded in March of this year by Dr. Christopher Cobourn. While I'm not working now, I have a background in management and human resources and I hope to learn along with you. I welcome anyone with a weight issue who has had or will be having any type of bariatric surgery.
I'd love to know who would attend meetings and whether a daytime or an evening meeting is preferable. I can do either.
You don't have to be from Oakville/Mississauga or Burlington. It doesn't matter, however meetings will be held in Oakville.
Bariatric Pal is providing us information for discussion purposes. Our first meeting would be in approximately two weeks where we will discuss the venue and meeting times, how frequently, what people need assistance with etc.
Feel free to comment here, or send me a private message.

@ - thanks for your reply, I'll be sending out info to you on the first meeting.
@chichiA oh please, don't be discouraged...I'll send a private note to you.
@@Patti33 I'll be sending out information to you very soon, thanks for replying
@@Yoga lady - consider setting up a group there. If no one is leading one, why not you?
Who else is out there that would love some support in the GTA?

Hi Alex
I'd love to be a chapter leader. I've frequently been a leader of small groups, and have often spoke in front of large groups. I am a co-founder of a large networking group and I facilitate a brainstorming group. Some of that leadership has been paid, and in other cases it's been as a volunteer. I've organized both large and small events and I'm seen as a leader in my community. I have a BBA degree and have worked in Human Resources for many years.
In order to have the most people participate, I think offering a daytime and an evening meeting would be beneficial. I'm not available the first Tuesday of the month, and I have meetings every other Monday, but my schedule is mostly open. I'm self employed and can typically accommodate many days/times.
I look forward to hearing more.
Nancy Ensley

really helpful...I could never understand what a NUT is/was - thank you!

I lost most of my weight in the two weeks before surgery. After surgery I gained 3 pounds and I've lost that and am now just starting to lose again after a long plateau.
I'm in my 50's
I'm 6 weeks out from surgery
As other posters have said, this will be different based upon so many factors. The band isn't quite working for me yet, I've had one fill and will soon have another, but I"m sticking with a diet that makes sense to me.
Best wishes

I'd be upfront and honest with your surgical team. Talk to them - tell them about your concerns.
Best wishes

I lost most of my weight in the two weeks before surgery. After surgery I gained 3 pounds and I've lost that and am now just starting to lose again after a long plateau.
I'm in my 50's
I'm 6 weeks out from surgery
As other posters have said, this will be different based upon so many factors. The band isn't quite working for me yet, I've had one fill and will soon have another, but I"m sticking with a diet that makes sense to me.
Best wishes

I lost most of my weight in the two weeks before surgery. After surgery I gained 3 pounds and I've lost that and am now just starting to lose again after a long plateau.
I'm in my 50's
I'm 6 weeks out from surgery
As other posters have said, this will be different based upon so many factors. The band isn't quite working for me yet, I've had one fill and will soon have another, but I"m sticking with a diet that makes sense to me.
Best wishes

I'm also about 6 weeks out and I can still drink as much Water as I want. I can't eat bread, but I do fine with crackers. Experiment! Never say never

look at you!! wayyyy to GO!

Personally - when I moved to solids, I gained three pounds. I'm told by my doctor that this is normal, you'll shed those again. I had my first fill only the past Thursday. Keep moving, keep with your program. Good luck!

So, I've written in my blog about how I've fallen off track. I'm back now and am soooo excited to say that I've lost inches.
In one month
Hips -2 inches
Waist -1 inch
Thigh - .5 inch
Chest - -1.5 inches
My clothes are looser, I feel better!!
5 total inches gone forever

So, I've written in my blog about how I've fallen off track. I'm back now and am soooo excited to say that I've lost inches.
In one month
Hips -2 inches
Waist -1 inch
Thigh - .5 inch
Chest - -1.5 inches
My clothes are looser, I feel better!!
5 total inches gone forever

So, I've written in my blog about how I've fallen off track. I'm back now and am soooo excited to say that I've lost inches.
In one month
Hips -2 inches
Waist -1 inch
Thigh - .5 inch
Chest - -1.5 inches
My clothes are looser, I feel better!!
5 total inches gone forever

So, I've written in my blog about how I've fallen off track. I'm back now and am soooo excited to say that I've lost inches.
In one month
Hips -2 inches
Waist -1 inch
Thigh - .5 inch
Chest - -1.5 inches
My clothes are looser, I feel better!!
5 total inches gone forever

Hi Alex,
Once you posted information on classes for CE Credits. It was for group leadership programs. Can you re-post that link as I thought I had kept it, but can't find it.
Thanks
Nancy

Hi Alex
I'd love to be a chapter leader. I've frequently been a leader of small groups, and have often spoke in front of large groups. I am a co-founder of a large networking group and I facilitate a brainstorming group. Some of that leadership has been paid, and in other cases it's been as a volunteer. I've organized both large and small events and I'm seen as a leader in my community. I have a BBA degree and have worked in Human Resources for many years.
In order to have the most people participate, I think offering a daytime and an evening meeting would be beneficial. I'm not available the first Tuesday of the month, and I have meetings every other Monday, but my schedule is mostly open. I'm self employed and can typically accommodate many days/times.
I look forward to hearing more.
Nancy Ensley

Hi Alex
I'd love to be a chapter leader. I've frequently been a leader of small groups, and have often spoke in front of large groups. I am a co-founder of a large networking group and I facilitate a brainstorming group. Some of that leadership has been paid, and in other cases it's been as a volunteer. I've organized both large and small events and I'm seen as a leader in my community. I have a BBA degree and have worked in Human Resources for many years.
In order to have the most people participate, I think offering a daytime and an evening meeting would be beneficial. I'm not available the first Tuesday of the month, and I have meetings every other Monday, but my schedule is mostly open. I'm self employed and can typically accommodate many days/times.
I look forward to hearing more.
Nancy Ensley

yes I do feel that way at times, but I find it positive. It keeps me in conscious choice, it's my reminder that I must be careful and take care of me every day
I refuse to dwell on it, but it's there, in the background and it keeps me level.
You'll be fine, use it as a tool rather than a stick.

Grief makes people insane. They say and do things they may not typically say.
No, this surgery doesn't make you selfish or a bad mom. This surgery doesn't fix every aspect of your life. It doesn't make you prettier, or smarter either.
It helps with You getting heathier.
Nancy

Grief makes people insane. They say and do things they may not typically say.
No, this surgery doesn't make you selfish or a bad mom. This surgery doesn't fix every aspect of your life. It doesn't make you prettier, or smarter either.
It helps with You getting heathier.
Nancy

I would LOVE to help out by leading or co-leading a Bariatric Pal group in my local area. I used to attend support group meetings in a small city about 20 min from me, but they were all bypass patients and the group wasn't very band-friendly. There is a local support group (new surgery center at our local hospital), but they don't deal much with post-surgery life. They do have good sessions on cooking, etc, but deal mostly with that subject and sometimes Q&A.
I am VERY interested in the certification program as well - I believe that would help others in the support community take us more seriously.
Here are the more organized answers to your questions:
Would you be interested in attending regular local chapter meetings in person? Absolutely YES Would you be interested in being a leader (or co-leader)? Yes - I believe I can be helpful Would you like BariatricPal to provide agendas for meetings? Yes - a framework can be very valuable What additional support could BariatricPal provide to encourage your participation and/or leadership? I love the idea of the certification program Should there be limits on the minimum and maximum numbers of members that each Local Chapter can have? Minimum - perhaps 5, built up over a specified period of time. It would be helpful to have the Chapters promoted here, and possibly through the surgeons in the area. Certification would help with their comfort level on this. What other ideas do you have? Incorporate activities like a Clothing Swap within each group; Shopping trips or having someone come in to discuss where to find clothing while transitioning; coaching / training on how to discuss your decision with family and friends; role-playing to help patients deal with bullies, saboteurs, etc; alternatives and plans for exercise based on patient's current physical condition - often standard "gyms" and trainers can be very intimidating; alternatives to grocery shopping (one of my local grocery stores has a delivery service and a pick up service - could be very helpful for avoiding temptation in the stores).

I was banded just over two weeks ago. I'm feeling good and I'm very happy with my decision. I wish you the very best of everything!

I was banded just over two weeks ago. I'm feeling good and I'm very happy with my decision. I wish you the very best of everything!

I was banded just over two weeks ago. I'm feeling good and I'm very happy with my decision. I wish you the very best of everything!