Getting Around in the WLS Community

Sep 03, 2013

I have done a great deal of traveling since having weight loss surgery to different social events as well as conferences and conventions for those of us who have had weight loss surgery. I have met and spoken to some who were thinking of having surgery and used the conference or convention to add to their resources.

I did check out a lot of resources such as books, videos on Youtube made by people who were going through the process to get weight loss surgery as well as some hospital demonstrations of the procedure that I was going to have. I remember my husband waking up at 2 am once and saying go to bed while I still had x amount of time to watch a surgical video.

Most recently, I went to my second convention put on by the Obesity Action Coalition. It is an awesome event with speakers who have been in the field for many years. There were some very interesting talks that are available online on Youtube for the general public to watch. The next convention will be in Orlando the weekend of September 25-28 2014. It includes Thursday because this is a training day for those of us who want to speak to our state or federal legislators. It is well worth getting to the event a day early.

One thing that I want to share is the support you get by going to these conferences and conventions is amazing. In Phoenix at the YWM2013 Convention,  I went for an early morning hike with those who wanted to get out and move well before the convention would start. I walked the whole way with a friend and we had a great time sharing. It was a 6 am walk and I was ready for a shower on returning to my hotel room in the resort. I had similar one on one talks at the pool with a new friend who was just starting back to work part time. I also had an opportunity to talk with a woman who will get surgery this month. She was such a delight to talk and I missed a hip hop exercise class to continue the conversation!

I am going to the ObesityHelp Conference in Anaheim next month. It will be my second OH conference. I was able to attend one in Chicago years ago when I was just a little over a year post op. I had so much fun though at first I did not know anyone and was staying in my room ironing of all things. Yeah, I knew it was a coping mechanism cause I was a bit afraid of putting myself out there. I did get done and everything was crisp and neat. Time to go see if there were other attendees. I was successful and met two sisters who shared were fast friends. From then on we shared a breakfast plate meant for one and even invited another woman to share a breakfast meal! We went into the city to explore, had our photos taken, and ate a breakfast wrap at Dunkin Donuts for lunch. Yes, we could not finish our tiny lunch!

The best part of going to these events is the sharing of our stories. My new friends in Chicago had lost their mother to diabetes related to her obesity. Other family members were going through diabetes and other related obesity co-morbitities. Yes, we can share online through OH, YT, Facebook and other avenues. It is great to see the people face to face. If you can form a group to support you and get together in your state. It will be a life changing experience. I wish you joy in the journey.

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