Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

What do you like in a support group?



Recommended Posts

I'm the first one to be banded in my little town. A friend of mine was the second to be banded and we have a third lady now who's had the surgery. Since we had the three of us, we decided to start a support group. We're including bypass patients, of whom there are several around. Also some pre-op people as well.

Since we're the ones who started it, we need to run it. I just haven't been to any other support groups for bariatric surgery and I could use some ideas of what to do other than just chat.

What have you enjoyed about your support groups? What would you do if you were heading one up?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Having an agenda is a good start. Perhaps just making a list of topics you would like to cover and setting aside an amount of time to discuss. Topics could be eating habits, emotional eating, support systems, etc.

An idea for the way to start the meeting is to go in a circle and have everyone introduce themselves and just talk a little bit about how they are doing, what is going on in their lives, etc. This could be a standard part of the agenda as a springboard into other topics/discussions.

When there are only a few people to start, it can be really flexible and may not be much more than a structured chat. It is one of those things that grows and solidifies as it happens.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It is great that you are starting this support group. Having a general guidline of topics to cover, but flexability to help other whith what is on their mind also. Since you have been there before everyone else you could share some of the good and bad times that you experienced. you could also have a swap for recipes that have worked at different stages of recovery starting with the liquid, mushies, and even the 5 day fill test (found that on this website). Also having your members choose if they want everyone to have there contact informaition or just the coordinator is important for some people. A printed list of web site that you have found helpful and a list of books that you or others have read are great for newly or prebanded members. Having a book exchange or lending box is good if you have a few books to put in to get it started. Since this is a new way of life for most of us we all need to learn from others that have been there. Good luck with your new group, Sherry

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It is also nice to have "experts" come in for a talk (i.e. dietician, hair/nail expert, cosmetic surgery options for excess skin, etc.)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Here are some of the things that I like about my support groups

  • Clothing Exchange
  • Vitamin/Protein samples (everyone brings their favorite things, like maybe a Protein Bar, or a new Vitamin and you break it in little pieces and everyone can try it.

  • Experts - local LPC or Psychologist to discuss mental health for WLS patients, Someone who is at goal (you could get someone from your Dr.s office that is at goal and ask them to come)
  • Books and recipe trading (borrowing)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What a great thing your doing!!

Years ago I can't recall the name of the group but it was a local support group for weight loss(by diet & excersise). In my hometown (like 5000pop)

It was usually held in one members home (changed each month) Which gave many the oportuntity to actually cook or have dishes to try that were weight loss friendly. (this was optional but done quite allot).

Everyone would also bring along outgrown clothes for a clothing swap, and the usual swap recipes, book ideas, shopping chats.

Occasionally roughly ever 4 months or so everyone would chip in and get a conference room at one of the local restraunts that had a good selection of healthy dishes.

Durring Fair month the group would make the meeting at the fairgrounds so they could check out the recipes and various other goodies you can find at your local county or state fairs. And of course get in some good excersing walking the barns lol.

They ocasionally had personal trainers who would come and talk, dieticians, even a doctor once while I was with the group.

Sometimes the meetings ended up being like housepartys for things like herbalife, tupperwear or anything that could be helpfull or related to weight loss. Once they had a houseparty for adult toys & lingere even. Mostly focusing on the lingere.

The cool thing about having small groups is its much easier to add more variety of things. Like meeting in the park and incorporating a cookout or hike the trails or whatever.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Those are some good ideas.

We have actually met already one time in a member's home. We had a nutritionist come and talk to us about Protein. We all decided that for people who don't know us well, that having it in a public place (the hospital board room) would be less intimidating for someone to come just from seeing a flier or something.

I'm going to bring clothes for a clothing exchange. I have a bunch of them and no good way to get rid of them. I don't want to throw them away, but our thrift store is pretty crappy. I hear they store clothes in the back room for years until they get around to putting them out.

We also talked about a recipe exchange. Maybe we should focus on one stage at a time, starting with liquids. Originally we were going to just bring one from the stage we're at, but it wouldn't help those on liquids for me to bring my favorite fish recipe right now.

We have two hours scheduled. I'm thinking we start with introductions, they can be lengthy, we can talk in depth about ourselves and how we ended up where we are.

It's just that middle portion that I'm not sure about. I'm sure towards the end we'll end up just chatting which is great, but I don't want it to seem just like a big chatting session.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

    • Alisa_S

      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.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      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.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×