New Support Group In Grand Rapids

Hello all. I know I'm new to this site but I wanted to let all of those in the Grand Rapids area know about a new support group. My name is Beth Rogers. I'm an RN with 30 years of critical care experience but most important I am a weight loss surgery patient. I had my surgery in Jan. 2006 and to this date have lost 180 lbs. Over the past months I have had a growing desire to do something with my knowledge and experience. I've worked in a Burn Center for 30 years but now I have such a strong desire to work within the Bariatric community with others that have shared this journey with me. In Jan of this year I attended Bariatric Support Group training which was taught by Julie Janeway and Karen Sparks of Little Victories Support Specialists. With their help I have been taking steps to start a group within the Grand Rapids area. Our first meeting will be on March 22 at 6:30. I'm nervous but excited about this new step within my life. I've come to know how important it is to have the support of others who are traveling this journey. I don't know all of the answers. I'm learning right along with all of you but I know that this isn't a journey that can be traveled alone. If anyone is interested in finding out more about this new support group, please, feel free to contact me. [email protected] I do plan on hanging around this forum more often. I have been an active member of another on-line forum but I like the idea of getting to know others in my area.

Beth, Could you tell me where this group would meet, and when? I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr. Kemmeter in April, and would be driving from Holland. I'm very interested in attending a support group. DD

Hi David. First of all good luck on your upcoming surgery. You have a good doctor in Dr Kemmeter. Dr Baker did my surgery but I am an RN at Spectrum and am familiar with all 3 of the doctors in the MMPC office. ALL are equally talented, caring, sensitive physicians. I personally would feel comfortable with any of them. Our meetings will be happening on the NW side of Grand Rapids. Here is the address and the meeting information. Activity Center; West Leonard Christian Reformed Church 1053 Leonard St NW Grand Rapids, MI We are going to be meeting the fourth Thursday of every month at 6:30. I expect the meetings to last about 1 1/2 hours but I will not have a specific ending time. It all depends on how the conversation is going. The last thing I want to do is end a meeting when there are those who still have a need. But I want to make sure that people feel comfortable leaving whenever they may need to. I won't take offense to it. I'm afraid there is a slight cost for attending the meetings. I will be charging $5/meeting. This isn't something I really want to do and believe me, I won't be seeing any kind of profit. But I am finding that there is a pretty significant cost out of my own pocket to have these meetings. I don't get any funding from any place but my own pocket and a dear friend who is helping me get things going. These meetings are for pre-op, post-op, medical weight loss people, support people and anyone just interested in finding out more about weight loss surgery. Anyone from any doctor's practice is welcome. If you bring a support person, which I encourage, there will be no charge for them. To anyone who attends, I am all ears for any and all suggestions. I don't want this to be "my" group. It is the members group and I will do whatever I have to, to help fill their needs. Feel free to email me with any questions. ([email protected]) Hope this is what you needed DD. I would love to have you join us, pre and post-op!

David! I'm so glad you saw this! I have met with Julie Janeway and Karen Sparks. Dr. DiNick and I did a lecture for their group in Lansing and they were WONDERFUL!!! I would definitely look into this one. I hope to meet Beth and her group soon with the Doc. Carey

Beth, First of all, WELCOME to the MI OH Forum!! Secondly, congratulations on starting your new group!! I too started one in March of 2004 because there was not one in our little town, and now we have about 28 members! Best of luck to you on your endeavor! I wish I would have been able to get some formal training as you did on being a support group leader...I know it would be helpful. All I knew is that we needed one in this area, and now we get together and support each other. If you have any tips for me or any of us leaders, please pass them along!! By they way, I mentioned to the leaders that I know of (about 5 or 6 of us so far) about having a quarterly meeting for "leaders" to share ideas, etc. Thought this would be good for us. As soon as I get something organized, I'll let you know. We would meet somewhere centrally located, to make it easiest for everyone to make it. Again, best of luck to you! Theresa

Thank you for the welcome, Theresa. I really do appreciate that I had the opportunity to attend some kind of training. It was pretty intensive training for 2 full days! I will certainly pass along any words of wisdom, information, etc. Its alot of work being a support group leader but something I am excited about putting the energy in to. A quarterly meeting sounds like a great idea! I have some contact with the leaders of the Jackson, Hastings and Lansing, Little Victories groups but we are all new at this. Julie Janeway and Karen Sparks are starting to concentrate their efforts into training leaders and turning all of their groups over to new leaders. The other 3 are all ready established groups but the GR one is totally new. Thanks again and continues luck with your group. Beth