Would love to see some type of support meetings started in the Seattle or surrounding area. I do have a monthly meeting with my surgeon's office where we get about 15 to 20 people per meeting, but feel that a weekly meeting would be more helpful. Anyone in the Seattle, Tacoma, Kitsap or King counties interested?

Overlake in Bellevue also welcomes all...

I am in tacoma / lakewood area would be willing to meet in Kent area , there is a small group of about 3 or 4 that meet in Spanaway but i am lookign for a bigger group, surgeon has a group but that is in Everette and way to far to travel for a support group anyhow if anyone is in Tacoma, olympia , lakewood , Fife area hit me up , would love to have a walking, zumba , workout partner.

Will post more when I know more. Lee

I am in Kent (South King County). I have been to my surgeon's monthly support groups and was VERY disappointed and often left feeling very sad, so I stopped going.

I would LOVE to have a local group of people from different surgeons and experiences to meet with!

I'm also interested - please add me to the contact list! I live in West Seattle

I live in Kitsap Co. (Bremerton area) and I'm in the pre-op phase with my surg scheduled for 8/13 at Overlake Hosp. in Bellevue, Luckily my ins Grp Health offers monthly support meetings but its only open to GH members. It would be nice to open to all because a good support systems is really important. Good luck everyone and I'll definitely check in from time to time to see if there is a group set up for Kitsap Co.

I live in auburn but work in Renton and would like to attend. Please keep me updated. Thx.

I'm in Maple Valley!!!! :-)

I'm also interested. It would be great to actually pick a date and location.

I'm also interested - please add me to the contact list! I live in West Seattle

Hey! Im in west seattle, alki area!

Dylan

I live in Bothell. Eastside I am going to have the sleeve the first of 2015 through the VA. Looking for support as I begin to make changes before surgery.

Is there a veteran on this list that would like to help organize this with me, I'm willing to co-chair, volunteer whatever. I am pre-op and it would be nice to have some diversity of experience involved in the planning process, just a thought. Alex asked ppl to PM him for details on how to start a local chapter and I also believe there is another thread somewhere on here about people from our area. If this has already been done by someone, again I'd love to help this move forward.

As it stands, we are doing a very Pacific Northwest thing right now...saying it would be great to meet up with someone but never actually taking the steps to make it happen. I know that's how we typically roll, but let's change that!!

I imagine it would be as simple finding a public space, cafe to meet starting with monthly or 6 meetings a year depending on level of interest. It would be nice to progress to hikes especially as the weather changes...(I like to hike in the fall). I think there is enough interest to do this and many who would find this sort of support helpful. I think a large meeting to start in Seattle and then break-aways can happen for folks more south or north or Island counties if the group is large enough.

Who's in to help organize?

Hi misformimi, I would love to help organize a group. I know a place in Bothell where we could meet. Lyons den coffee shop. I can check into using one of there private meeting rooms.

OK. Great. Bothell may appear to people points North. I found a list of rooms available for free or low cost. http://www.michaelhartzell.com/meeting-rooms-in-seattle-king-county/

If your option doesn't work, I'll go peeling through these. I also know of some cafes that have rooms.

Glad you are willing to help. When I get to a computer, I will pm the folks interested in making this happen.

I like the idea of doing one before the holidays start with family commitments and travel.

Thanks again!

I am an organizer in a meetup group and have done public functions at the Bothell library.... free! They let you bring in beverages, Snacks if you want. The rooms book up fast so you have to plan in advance.

Okay, the reason I have been hesitant to organize anything is

#1 summer I am really busy with outdoorsy stuff so just didn't want to committ. Now that the season has changed, more open to the idea of participating

#2 I don't really like the content/structured materials. I didn't actually agree with some of the things in there, to each his own, but I can't lead a discussion on how to eat etc. when I am really just an expert on "me".

#3 I would be much more likely to do something if it was active - a walk, a bike ride, a hike - but I realize that preops may not be comfortable/at that level of fitness and it would make me sad for anyone to feel excluded so that has stopped me from getting too excited.

#4 I am just not a support group kinda person so I would hate to start something and then walk away.

I am a veteran, and happy to share my story - I am very comfortable with public speaking am open with my pix, etc. - but this is why I haven't stepped up to make it happen and probably won't unless something really changes.