Dear BariatricPal Members,

We are pleased to announce a new program called BariatricPal Local Chapters! This program will be an addition to the support that BariatricPal already provides to members. BariatricPal started as an online resource for hundreds of thousands of potential and post-op weight loss surgery patients. Many of you visit the site regularly to receive and provide tips and encouragement, and just to hang out. BariatricPal Local Chapters extends our online community into the real world.

BariatricPal Local Chapters includes live, in-person meetings with local BariatricPal members. We know the significance of support group meetings before and after weight loss surgery, but not all patients are able to attend live meetings in their areas. BariatricPal Local Chapters can help fulfill this need by providing the support for regular in-person meetings in neighborhoods around the country.

BariatricPal Local Chapter Meetings

Most meetings will follow a standard format that includes introductions followed by the day’s main activity, and finally a discussion or question-and-answer session. The main activity of the day can be a lecture on essentials before and after weight loss surgery, such as nutrition, exercise, overcoming obstacles, and building a support system. Other activities might include group walks, cooking demonstrations, presentations by visiting bariatric surgeons, cosmetic surgeons, or nutritionists, and clothing exchanges.

Do You Want to Be a Group Leader?

If you are friendly, enthusiastic, and committed to fighting obesity with weight loss surgery, we want you to consider becoming a BariatricPal Local Chapter Group Leader! Energetic group leaders are key to success. Your roles as a group leader will include:

• Scheduling times and places for Local Chapter meetings.
• Planning group meeting agendas including scheduling guest speakers, reserving facilities, and arranging for supplies when necessary.
• “Hosting” group meetings by leading the introductions and leading or facilitating the main activity and question-and-answer sessions.
• Leading group discussions or lectures when they are the main activity of the meeting.
• Reaching out to members to help you in regular tasks and fill in for you when you cannot plan or attend a meeting.
• Making all participants feel welcome.

Does this sound like something you can do? BariatricPal will provide support to Local Chapter leaders, including developing guidelines for running meetings and materials for group discussions.

Here’s What to Do!

If you are interested in being a BariatricPal Local Chapter leader, please use the BariatricPal Local Chapter directory. Click NEW LOCAL CHAPTER to create a new chapter and follow the simple instructions on how to get started.

Please feel free to post questions on this thread. I am excited to begin BariatricPal Local Chapter meetings, and I hope you are, too!

Alex, are there any plans to share a list of these (location, contact etc) once you have confirmed groups up and running so that if we are travelling, we can drop in on a local chapter?

Thanks.

Jacqui

Absolutely! We're in the organizational stage at this point. Once we have confirmed groups up and running, we most definitely will have them all listed with details online.

Great, thanks!

As I said before I think its a great idea. We have support meetings here where I live, but they are run by a lady that has no idea what it's like to go through what we have gone through? I would much rather run or go to a party run by someone that has the experience of what we live on a day to day basis. The support group here is for pre and post surgery people, and i thing that is the best thing, they only have it for the people that need to go to a support group by their insurance. I didn't have to do that for my insurance approval?

Whatever it takes, I'm ALL IN!

If you read her post , lol then you would now it is about the different chapters diffrent states , that are trying to get going any one wants to volunteer time .

?

Sorry I noticed she is sleeved I thought we were on the band site , oh well , guess I didn't have my glasses on to notice ,oh well I will check when I see post or topics, just t make sure where I am , sometimes I don't even know lol.

?

When I open the page...this is where I am...don't even know where/how... seems like "everyone" is on these pages... but I got the email... and I think it's a great idea... the more the merrier! I go to a group once a month...but I wouldn't mind another

Sorry I noticed she is sleeved I thought we were on the band site , oh well , guess I didn't have my glasses on to notice ,oh well I will check when I see post or topics, just t make sure where I am , sometimes I don't even know lol.

?

Doesn't matter to me what surgery we have we all need support. We all need each other to assist. if it is a support group for all types that's fine with me....I'm there!

Still didn't find that pesky email

This is a wonderful idea. i know we don't have any support like that in Mississippi! I will be glad to assist in any way I can. Thanks Alex for always thinking of us.

Will there be support groups in Canada as well!? I think it's a wonderful idea ????

Will there be support groups in Canada as well!? I think it's a wonderful idea

There are two topics for support groups in Canada here. We're looking for volunteer support leaders internationally, not just in the USA.

There are two topics for support groups in Canada volunteer support leaders Nationally, not just in the USA.

One of them is for Ontario and the other BC. I don't see anything for Alberta though. Slave Lake is pretty small but I might be interested in co-leading if there are others near here.

There are two topics for support groups in Canada volunteer support leaders Nationally, not just in the USA.

One of them is for Ontario and the other BC. I don't see anything for Alberta though. Slave Lake is pretty small but I might be interested in co-leading if there are others near here.

Fantastic! Please start a topic for Alberta and we'll assist you in starting up the group.

We're offering Bariatric Support Group Leader Certification to all BariatricPal Local Chapter leaders. Please let me know if this is something that would interest you.

The Bariatric Support Group Leader Certification is an online or in person course. You receive certification once it's completed. Here's a synopsis of the course:

Support Group Leader Certification

For the morbidly obese, a surgical intervention provides a remarkable tool. However, long-term, optimal outcomes require a comprehensive aftercare program to provide education and support to help each individual reach and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Participants in this course will learn how to organize, coordinate and facilitate quality bariatric support groups and educational classes. This course features agenda planning, facilitation skills, patient engagement and retention, and teaching ideas & techniques.

Participants will:

1. Identify key elements necessary to provide a supportive and educational aftercare program for their bariatric patients.

2. Understand the Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients principles, research and resources.

3. Learn important strategies for involving patients in support and educational offerings as well as how to provide volunteer opportunities for patients.

4. Become familiar with lesson materials, teaching aids and techniques and have an opportunity to prepare and present a lesson for evaluation and feedback.

5. Learn how to organize, coordinate and facilitate classes & support groups.

It offers 23 CEU's through Taylor College of Nursing in LA. You'll be able to register for a live or web-based course in 2014.

Attached is the 2014 course brochure. Additionally, here is a link to the online information.

BU Course Brochure 2014.pdf

Would love to serve in Lake county Florida , I am so excited to have the opportunity to help others while I'm helping myself please Alex count me in.