I have been a lurker or member for over 3 years here. I have a definite interest in helping everyone understand WLS as I have come to know it and would be interested in sharing my experience, strength and hope as it relates to this vast journey.

I would like to believe we have enough WLS folks in the Portland, OR area to support meeting on a weekly basis. Once a month, we would have a cooking demonstration and perhaps a Saturday morning walk through Forest Park.

My drive would be to focus on self, creating nutritionally balanced meal plans integrated with proper exercise techniques for every level. This could be accomplished though demonstrations by myself as well as local folks who could presentations.

Portland is a great community focused metropolis and I believe our city will support our efforts.

Edited April 3, 201412 yr by PdxMan

Please PM me if you'd like to lead or co-lead this support group!

Went to my "welcome" meeting today to get set up for 6 month "plan." Met some support specialists (dietician, PT and psychologist). Really nice group of folks! It did seem scarier though as it means I am now on the difficult journey to being sleeved!!

While there I had my BMI and some other weight to muscle test, EKG and took the written psych eval. I go back for 2 appointments on May 8.

I found out there are really 4 surgeons to choose from! Now I am more confused.... Anyone have any experience having their surgery by Dr. Patterson, Dr. Halpin, Dr. Jan or Dr. Reavis? I would love to know your experience!

My husband came with me as he was still hoping I won't get the surgery--that by some miracle the "plan" by itself will be enough. I think the videos and talks have helped him realize a miracle is unlikely to happen and surgery is indeed in my future.

sblissp- I am in Roseburg. What about you?

Did this group ever get started?

I'm in Portland and would be interesting in meeting up at some point. I'll keep tabs on this thread.

Did this group ever get started?

Hello,

I am awaiting final approval from Providence. I had to submit a request to even get the forms to go into yet another queue for approval. I submitted the initial request back in April and their paperwork 2 weeks ago. I received a message yesterday that it is being reviewed. I requested the second Wednesday each month at the Providence St. Vincent location over by Hwy 217 & Hwy 26. Should have an answer soon, but when I was talking to their Resource Services, they were quite excited at the notion of having a bariatric support group as Providence currently has no offerings like this.

I'll let you know when I get a firm approval.

Nice Pdx! I am now one month post OP with Dr. Patterson and would love to chat and share my experience with other bariatric patients in the area. looking forward to hearing about it.

This is excellent, PdxMan!! I love really close to St. Vincent's so it would be great. I work every other Wednesday so hope it's not on the one I work though or I'd never get to go and I would be sad.....

Well ... second Wednesday of the month ... Buuuut. I was also hoping to do maybe Sunday morning walks through Hoyt Arboretum, or many of our wonderful parks. We would walk and chat. I'm also planning on doing some food demos out of my home for those interested.

Let us know! I'm really excited for this.

Hey everyone! I would love for this to develop into a real life group! Anyways, I'm just starting this journey. I was approved for my surgery by insurance on Wednesday (6/11), Thursday (6/12) the scheduler called and told me....Monday (6/16) is the day! I'm really excited and it's becoming real. It's happening so fast that it's just a blur.

Anyway, hi to all! Would love to get some outdoor adventures going (hikes, kayak, even to the dog park, or going to Saturday market). I just want to get out there and experience things I feel I've been missing out on because of my own lack of confidence about my body.

So let's make this thing happen!

I live in Sandy.

Does anyone know of a place to meet that is free? Library or city center usually has rooms for free.

It would be easy to set up a monthly mtg and/or a time to walk and talk.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

I am 11 years out and I enjoy helping others on their WLS journeys.

I am pretty connected with Kaiser support groups but see a desperate need for something more.

west side? too much traffic and heartache for me. sounded like a lot of East side people checking in on this group too. SE, Aloha, Sandy, Damascus (me).... people maybe interested in rotating locations? either way, thanks for setting this up for people

There will be no perfect place, for sure. I am West (185th, North of 26) and Aloha is also West (just a bit South of me). We also have one in Beaverton and Hillsboro.

That is why I thought Providence St V would be a good choice as it is at the intersection of Hwy 26 and Hwy 217. But alas, Providence has denied my request. I appealed, and just received word back from their PR person that they would encourage me to continue my search elsewhere.

So, I have submitted requests to Emanuel/Good Sam and a couple churches in downtown Portland. As far as a rotating location, it may be difficult as another member who has reached out to me shared she organized a meeting a couple months ago through Facebook, I believe, and had 25 people show up. So, I think we are looking at a pretty large group, especially once we get things rolling.

If anybody has associations with a location which could hold up to, let's say, 40 people, please let me know.