BariatricPal Local Chapters…a New Way to Connect!

[Cindy Cooney 2]

I love the idea and my surgeon is a 2 hour drive from my house so unless they do virtual support group meetings it will impossible. So I will be looking for something.

[smithpy 117]

I would love something in northeast Dallas.

[Leepers 1,195]

I'm very interested in this. I would love to help organize or lead or co-lead. I'm in Louisville, KY.

[kmre 14]

_{YES! WE HAVE NO SUPPORT GROUP IN MY AREA OF ANY KIND AS FAR AS I KNOW.}

[toomuchrose 47]

I think it's a great idea and I'd love to take part. My surgery is tentatively scheduled for May and I think support is very important.

My only suggestion is to be sure to hold the meetings in a handicapped accessible location as I am in a wheelchair. I think some folks who are still at the start of their journey may also have mobility problems.

[Flutterfly19 15]

Yes! This is what I have been looking for. Great idea!

[Dr-Patient 831]

Alex, great idea for local BP chapters, meetings, etc.

As a physician and as a VSG patient, I could assist in this process. Also, my surgeon is one of the leading surgeons/Bariatric surgeons/ endoscopic pioneers. Maybe there's some way to partner. How might this discussion be furthered re: "details," once you might have some?

Again, great idea.

[LI Lady 64]

Sounds terrific!! I would love to be a part of this!!

[Darianna75 131]

Would love one in southern ma/ri border !!

[Getting-used-to-new-me 119]

Great idea! Count me in too.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

I wouldn't mind hosting any online/virtual support groups as well. That's a really fantastic idea!

I love the idea and my surgeon is a 2 hour drive from my house so unless they do virtual support group meetings it will impossible. So I will be looking for something.

[Dee_1111 317]

I'm in 100%

[Alex Brecher 10,516]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your responses and helpful suggestions! I really appreciate your enthusiasm and feedback. Your positive reactions have made me confident that BariatricPal Local Chapters can become reality in the near future.

Below, I’ll try to answer a few questions that were raised in this conversation.

Can BariatricPal provide help finding local venues where meetings can be held?

Yes! We can provide a general list of suggested places to try, such as local church buildings, schools, parks and hospitals. We can also provide a letter or email that you can send to local contacts to ask if you can hold Local Chapter meetings at these places. We can work with you more if you need it.

How long is each meeting?

It depends on the meeting’s agenda and on the group dynamics set by the group leader and the meeting’s participants. A meeting with a simple lesson and discussion might be as short as an hour, while a meeting that includes a group walk and a cooking lesson might take two or more hours.

Are “+1’s” allowed?

Spouses and other close supporters are absolutely welcome at special events, such as any national meeting or cruise that BariatricPal might sponsor. Some weight loss surgery patients are uncomfortable having non- weight loss surgery patients or candidates present at meetings, so we are still deciding whether they are welcome at regular Local Chapter meetings. What are your thoughts?

How will we know if meeting locations are accessible?

Since many weight loss surgery patients may be dealing with mobility issues, accessible Local Chapter locations will be marked with a special icon to indicate that they are wheelchair-friendly.

You have suggested a lot of great ideas for BP Local Chapter meetings! These are some of the activities that it looks like you may be interested in.

• Grocery store visit
  
• Lessons led by your group leader. Topics may include:
  
  • Reading nutrition and ingredients labels
    
  • How to start and keep a food journal
  
  
  • Getting back on track and how to battle plateaus and weight gain.
  
  
  • Replacement and transfer addictions
  
  
  • How to beat mental/emotional hunger (“head hunger”)
  
  
  • What to do when your friends or family are not as supportive as they could be
  
  
  • Food choices: what to eat, what not to eat, and healthy meal ideas
  
  
  • Workout support: how to start exercising and stay motivated for the long-term.
  
  


• Meet at restaurant so that everyone can work together to figure out healthy food choices


• Lectures from a visiting expert, such as a bariatric surgeon, nutritionist, skin removal surgeon, or psychologist.


• Periodic clothing exchanges


• Outside activities, such as walking for fun or training for charity runs/walks which your entire Local Chapter can participate in together.

The consensus so far seems to be that most of you would like some guidance on agendas for Local Chapter meetings, but some flexibility would be helpful, too. That way, BariatricPal Local Chapters everywhere can feel more unified and group leaders are supported in their efforts, but Local Chapters can have the freedom to customize their meetings to their members’ needs.

Again, thank you for the discussion and your enthusiasm. Please keep the ideas coming!

[smithpy 117]

I'm excited. Regarding +1s -- I like the idea of the meeting being closed and just for people who have had the surgery and then having special days for friends/families etc where group members know in advance.

[ribearty 544]

I would be interested. There are several bariatric surgery groups in the St. Louis area that regularly hold support meetings.

Edited March 6, 2014 by ribearty