support needed in northern VA

Good morning !  I am looking for a support group in Northern Va.  I have seen a few listed on the support group page but nothing that is really near me. Anyone know of a support group near the fairfax, fair oaks, reston area of northern va ?  My doc's group is in DC and I am looking for one closer to home.  I am over a year out but just want to keep close contact with other folks just like me  :  )  I need other folks who know what its like to be 34 and have the stomach of a two year old and the skin of an eighty year old !   Take care, Melissa

Welcome Melissa, to the board I havea group but I think mine might be to far from you we are in Charlottesville, but there are a few others on here Jackie has one she will most likley be closer for you she will post Im sure. Good luck and welcome again here to the VA Board, we are here for you. 

Prissy, thanks for your warm welcome. Yes, C-ville is too far for me but I really appreciate the info. Have a great day ! -Melissa

Hey Melissa - we all know that feeling well!!! Although plastic surgery has fixed some of mine.... I believe Dr Anez has a support group in that area of Fair Oaks and Reston and there are a few support groups in that area - Journey Together is one that springs to mind. too.  There should be more folks on here who go to these who can give you more details. There is an informal one meets every 3rd Saturday in Fairfax and I can get you more details on that if you are interested.  I run one if Fredericksburg but that might be a bit far to travel for you... Good luck! Jackie

Hey Jackie, Thanks for the input. I would love more info on the Fairfax one and the Journey together .  I would love to hear more about your plastics experience .  Who did your work, how was the recovery and what you had done  (if you don't mind sharing all the personal info) Thanks so much and have a great day ! -Melissa

No I do not mind at all!  I will send you info on the Fairfax group and a yahoo group for you to join to get to know people before you even meet them... The Journey together I am not so familiar with so I am sure someone else will point you in the right direction there.... As for plastics - I went to Dr Krieger in Fairfax -  www.virginiaplasticsurgery.com  I swear the man is an artist - he does incredible work and I am extremely happy with him - as are many others on this board. I had a lower body lift in September where he removed over 12lbs of skin off of me - and in December I had a breast lift and the skin under my arms removed. Then next month I am having an inner thigh lift and my implants put in - then I am done!  My recovery from the lower body lift was good - I also had some hernias repaired so had more pain from that than the lbl because you are numb there. The upper arms was a little painful because I had an infection but it wasn't too bad - was off pain meds three days after surgery so was bearable.... my next one I expect to be a little painful too but they do give you great pain medication and he is a very dedicated and talented surgeon - when you go for your before and after care you see him on every visit!  That is their policy which is very refreshing... Hope that helps you and your initiat consult is free......... Jackie

Melissa ,  I am the Director of LIfeStarts WLS Groups Inc  . I am currently working with several groups to begin structure for their support groups . There will be several coming to this area . These are  not as formal as the one at the hospital , but offers knoweldge , care and support  for all types of surgerey and stages in the journey . I will be working with Merri Goldberg , LCS and Author . We will be setting up more groups this year through out Va, MD , DE, WV and PA .  I truly feel that support group leaders need to be able to walk the walk .. and talk the talk . I train leaders to give from minds , heart and soul .. leaving nothing out .  I do not meet in restraunts or eaterys . I feel this is not condusive to what our goals are . Yes it is nice to sit down to simple meet and greets at these types of places , But when a person is trying to learn - and share it is hard to do this while people are eating .. and to me ..food is the one issue that causes Obesity .. so it is like an alcoholic having an AA meeting at a Bar .. ??  Currently I am working with Jill Dennis in setting up several support groups in the Winchester Va, Frederick Md and Hagerstown MD area . You can get more information on Jills online  store at www.bumblebeecottage.net  If you are interested , I am hosting along with David Becker a Weight Loss Surgery Conference and EXpo this coming weekend . I have 3 Key note speakers . Dr. Mitchell Kreiger is speaking Saturday at Lunch , he is speaking on plastic Surgery . I have Katy Jay from NAWLS speaking on transfer addiction and Sunday , Merri Goldberg will be speaking .  There will be several Vendors to talk to on Saturday and lot's of free goodies !!  I hope to hear from you .. and I too have had plastic surgery and have completed my reconstruction . If you have any questions or concerns . I would be more than happy to answer them for you .  Take care ..  Natalie

The Journey Together WLS Group is run by the Fair Oaks Baritric Center of Excellence.  For information go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/journeytogether/.  There you will find the dates, times, and topics for 2008.  It is a terrific group, you will feel very much at home.

Cathy A gave you the information on the Journey Together group. Dr. Anez's group has disbanded but is trying to get things back on track at a personal/patient level (the leader that worked in his office was let go for what seems to be hospital political reasons...sad really, she's wonderful and we all loved the group).  SO....as far as I know...the Journey Together is the only group right now...I've not been to it though, so can't really say one way or another what it's like.

Good am Melissa, Welcome to the VA Board. It looks as if you've gotten some responses & I hope they help you find something to meet your needs. Feel free to post here with questions, concerns etc. There are many folks here with such a wide array of experiences that I believe you will find support, encouragement, comfort & lots of commonality. I would like to mention that support is important regardless of the setting or set up. I believe that its not just a matter of logistics but more a matter of coming together & supporting one another in any ways that we can. I would be very careful and arm yourself with knowledge/facts regarding any information, support group, support group leader etc and make your decisions based on your comfort level/facts. Some of us cannot travel to some of the support groups currently in place which makes it even more important that we have a forum such as this to come to. There are some folks who have been trained thoroughly and are in constant contact/talks with their surgeon's & nuts & can offer valuable information in addition to those of us who've been there as well. In addition, some support groups will send folks their information discussed via handouts, emails, PowerPoint presentations and other types of information including samples & such. Communication is the key I believe & I'm sure some folks wouldn't mind sending you some information in place of your not being able to attend.  I look forward to hearing more from you! Congratulations on your successes and I pray for many more. All best.....