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Meetup group for bandsters in Northern VA



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I just created a meetup group for fellow bandsters who live in Northern Virginia. I want to meetup and talk about all the things we talk about on here -- just face-to-face. They move us through the waiting room fairly quickly at my Dr's office, so I've never had a conversation with anyone else who has a band. :( I believe having a local support system of other people who know what I'm feeling will be beneficial to my journey and I hope to provide the same in return.

Some ideas I have for the group include: Protein Drink parties, grocery shopping and clothing exchanges.

Please sign up if you live nearby!

LAP-BAND® (or other Bariatric ) Surgery Meetup (Herndon, VA) - Meetup.com

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I was just banded in 7 days ago...I live in Alexandria, VA if its not far, I would be interested

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Did you check with your surgeon's office to see if they have a support group meeting? I'm about 1 1/2 hours West of DC out in the Valley and our hospital was just approved this year to start the lap band surgery. My surgeon's office have support group meetings each month and it's a God send.

Like you I didn't know anyone else who had the lap band, only gastric patients. And our surgery is so much different that it's nice to talk to women in our group that are going through the same things I am.

You are more than welcome to join our group. I realize it's a long drive but if you're interested in finding about our group or want a list of topics that we're doing each month I'll be more than happy to share with you.

Personal offline e-mail: gatlin39@yahoo.com

Good luck.

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Smiley - yes, please sign up! I'll see where most of the members live and try to pick a central location like Tyson's corner to meet.

gatlingirl - Yes, my surgeon has a support group but it's at a time I can't make regular. I plan to attend next month's and see if anyone would like to meet outside of the Dr's office too.

I am definitely interested in hearing about the topics your group discusses! I'll send you an email.

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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