Any Northern VA Persons Out There? Did you attend Potomac Hospital WLS Support Group?

Hello everyone, I again attended the Potomac Hospital Support Group tonight, and was a little disappointed. I am new to the WLS journey and will have lap band surgery Oct. 24th. The person leading the meeting had a power point presentation on different places to eat and the nutritional food values.  It was more of an educational seminar on nutrition and what I thought was more appropriate for the nutritional class?  A few members spoke up and expressed they would have liked to have had the opportunity to talk and share different issues ( get support and be supportive to each other). Some people who had surgery started to try to express some uncomfortable issues with their eating, and I wanted to say,  "let them talk so they could get support from others!"  but they were kind of cut off and the subject was quickly changed?! On a positive note, I attended the INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital Support Group in August, and it was wonderful, very supportive, a lot of sharing and encouraging between members.    The facilitator of the group had a topic she introduced, however, she opened the floor early on in the meeting to the group members to speak. I am going to continue to attend the support group at INOVA, although it is a  bit further for me to drive! Anyone else have an experience with support groups positive and or not so positive? Take care...

I attended the meeting tonight and actually thought it was a very good meeting and a good subject. Last month the meeting overran because of questions and some people complained that they were hungry and the meeting over ran  - so my guess is tonight they tried to end on time. Once you have surgery there really are no more nutrition classes  - and we all need refreshers on subjects like where to eat out - you will appreciate it more when you have had surgery and want to know things like that. I am sorry you were disappointed - I attend 3 support groups per month and get something different from each one of them..... I hope you will find a support group that gives you what you want..... Jackie

I haven't been on the boards in awhile cuz of work.  WOW! What a great picture.  You look lovely.  I'm looking forward to seeing you in October at the dinner Christina is planning. 

Thank you Cathy! It was my glamour shot picture done several months ago..... of course now I want a white fur coat of my own!! Jackie

I attend a different meeting that is sponsored through my surgeon's office, held at INOVA Fair Oaks (Next Staple Club meeting is Sept. 13...Topic: Share your favorite Protein recipe!). It's the only one I've gone too, and it seems to meet my needs in addition to the websites I visit. 

Christina - Can anyone come to that? What time is it? The INOVA Fairfax is my meeting :) I'm going to go next month as this month was cancelled.

I'm not sure, but I think so!  Check with Sally (http://www.stapleclub.com/staff.htm) as to the "requirements" for attending. I know we have other patients from the Drs. that do surgery at INOVA Fair Oaks...can't see why others wouldn't be allowed, but it's not my meeting to run! Is she says yes, I'd love to meet you there!

Hi again Amanda, I was dissapointed too that the Fairfax meeting was cancelled.  I was looking forward to meeting you. Sally's Staple Club is open.  I would be going on the 13th but I'll be out of town. BTW.  Do you use Vita4life vitamins?  I have a coworker who used Dr Elirny and she takes them and like them.  She said she buys them at his office.

Im planning on using those, I haven't started taking them yet though.  Glad to hear your coworker likes them :) We'll meet soon Cathy! :)