THOUGHT PROVOKING QUESTION/DISCUSSION

Goooooood am Courtney, I couldn't agree more with you sweetie! In fact, I hadn't been to a support group consistently for several months due to dealing with some health issues and my alcohol addiction but with both of those issues nipped in the bud I've been reaching out and attending more groups and becoming more involved with others. It's amazing to be able to celebrate EVERYONE'S journeys and experiences. Again, it doesn't do anyone any good to isolate yourself or others. You never know what you might learn! Respect is definitely paramount in our journeys as well. Hugs to you!

Hey Kitty Kat ! I second you in agreeing that support in the beginning and all along our journey is so important! Statistics prove that people who attend support group are far more likley to succeed in their weightloss and maintenance then those who don't !! I attend 2 support groups faithfully and 2 others I pop in on when I can. Why so many? I get new and different  information from all of these different sources. Some groups have guests that answer technical questions about  ie. nutrition, plastic surgery, emotional issues, etc. Other groups are more informal and social or a combo of both.  It is up to us to gather the information that we need from whatever type of support group that we choose to attend. I love it when leaders of these groups ask us what our interests and needs are and they try to fulfill those needs with the type of speaker or guest that will be beneficial. Also interaction with this guest is important as apposed to be lectured. Question and answer time is so valuable! My surgeon came to my last support group meeting and it sure was great having the opportunity to ask him anything I wanted related to WLS! Ignorance is not a valad excuse for not being successful at weightloss when there are so many support groups out there as well as on line support. One of the greatest benefits of physically going to support groups as aposed to just going on line are the friendships that you can make there! One of my greatest friends now, I met in support group and she turned me on to a great exercise class sponcered by out hospital's bariatric program. We swim together, walk our dogs together, share our recipes and successes, etc. Support via the internet is good too and many people make great friends visa the computer but it is not a substitute for attending a support group or groups. You hear everthing out there on the net good and bad , as responcible adults we have to be able to distinguish which is which. Also if one's partner  or parents are  less then supportive, establish your support elsewhere, sisters, brothers,  friends etc.  This endeavor is so much easier when you have others around you that can believe in you and support your commitment to WLS and maintenance. One last thing, no one quite understands what we go through with our new way of life after WLS as well as someone else who has personally experienced it  Where do we meet these people? Support group conferences etc.! I am greatful that my support group leaders have professionals as our guests so I can pretty much depend on being reasonably informed about the subject matter, whatever it may be. McLean

I LOVE your responses here as well! Well said for sure! I love that you mention "the good and the bad" and that as responsible adults we have to distinguish which is which. I completely agree that folks surrounding you who are positive are what makes everything so much more enjoyable and our successes grand! LOVE IT! "Ignorance is not a valid excuse for not being successful at weight loss." That in itself is so valuable. That is why its important to ask questions and NONE of them are dumb and that means that no matter how many times someone asks the same question we have to remember we were once in their shoes and we had lots of questions and concerns as well. Thanks so much for your thoughts they are great!

McClean... WOW!  Four support groups!  That's awesome.  I wish that I access to more groups...but...it would cut into my exercise time - haha.  But, you are right...support groups are EXTREMELY helpful and allow you to be successful.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, for me it has been the combination of educating my family/friends about the process and the post-op ups and downs as well as the continued support I get from all of them -- I have been truly blessed.  In addition, I make it a point to attend 2-3 support groups per month, I read and read and read anything I can get my hands on, and of course, I look to all of you on this Board to share and provide those of us who are new to the "journey" with your great advice and experiences.  The combination of all of this has been a tremendous help to me, and I think it will continue to be.  :)

Well I don't plan to miss this kickin' ass subject!!  My greatest factors would have to be the love of my family to spend all the time in the world with me to assure me I was gonna be fine after surgery and that my kids would be fine if anythin bad was to happen to me. Peace of Mind was ma greatest support - to know I was not out there alone. The cool new friendships I made through being proacative through the community an getting out there and getting me an education on all the things I was likely to be going thru.  Now I want to give something back and plan on educating myself some more and helping in Support Groups and things like that. My daddy will be donating money to me so I can maybe start some kind of Obesity charity work by being an advocate against insurance companies and helpin little children....... I see my son maybe having a bad gene pool and I know that if I don't help him eat healthy he will be like me by the time he's 20.... so  planning on how I can help others had made my journey easier and I am lining up support from people who have never had weight issues to help my cause....maybe I will have a fundrasier event ya'll can come to soon!  Rosie

OMG!  How touching this is...... I think it's great when we give back out of the kindness of our hearts and not to gain something selfish. I don't know you, but WOW is all I can say....how kind.

Well this is very commendable Rosie!  If I had money like that I would probably do something similar..... And I understand your feelings on your son. I have a four year old and am terrified that he gets my fat gene because I do believe some of this is genetic..... If you are having a fundraiser count me in  lolol!! I love get togethers! Jackie

great response!  Count me in when you get going!

Well I dont think I need to say much more about this subject, I didnt post this morning because I didnt have time to sit and out it all in words. And I get here this eve. and you ALL have done a wonderful job of doing such a awesome job of saying all I would have said about  Education and supporting yourselves as well as families and  friends who have no clue about the surgery or how our lives change afterwards. I must say I each and everyone of you for your posts because without either one of these we would all be in some deep do do. The importance of them both are so great and the friendships I have made through out the years and my support group have been great and  I so cherrish them all.