Support Group Ideas

For those of you involved in active support groups, please share some ideas that you have at your meetings.  We are attempting to restart our meetings and would like it to be informative, interesting, as well as laid back.  In the past, we hardly ever had speakers to visit.  We need to structure our meetings to provide the support that only those of us who've travelled the road od obesity can understand.  Thanks for your help and ideas........... Ree Ree

I am going to a bariatric support group meeting tomorrow morning. Topic:  "The 'Bariatric Friendly' Kitchen" Each participant is to bring his/her ideas for the topic.

We have had the Surgeons,Nutritionist,past RNY/Lap band etc.. Losers,Psychologist are people who have came and spoke at our support groups. They have also done clothing exchange. Around the winter Holiday they have like a pot luck. You bring a healthy snack along with recipe cards to share. Those are the only things I have seen so far.  Kelly

I only went to my first meeting a few weeks ago. We have a plastic surgeon talk to the group and raffle of a book. It's a good place to get recruits!

  OH has some great ideas for support group meetings ..  have you tried to get OH approval and training as a group leader?   Just PM Cathy Wilson (or maybe she will jump in here) and she can tell you more about it ..     I can say from past experience the success of a group can hinge on what the purpose of the group is supposed to be, in regard to weight loss ..  There are social groups, which primarily function as a means of socialization of its members (e.g. holds dinners, outings, etc.) and not so much the "heady" technical stuff or structured organization of the other type of support group ..      The other style of group is more structured and into the specifics of WLS and being successful with it, using scheduled speakers, expert resources, etc.  (these type of groups are usually headed by a WLS surgeon or their support staff)     Deciding which route your group wants, in general, to go is important at the start, IMHO ..