Re: New SF Support Group run by Francisco and Robynn

[Guest guest]

"POST-OP WLS Support Group: Dealing with the Emotional and Spiritual Aspects of Life After WLS

Francisco and Robynn are starting a new support group in San Francisco, at the Kaiser Medical Office Building located at 2425 Geary Boulevard.

Many groups deal with physical issues related to both post and pre-op experiences. However, this group will be an exclusive forum for the emotional and spiritual issues that we may experience in our post-surgery journey. Sample Topics: how to live in accordance with your ethics after WLS, it's raining men/women (blessing or curse), body dysmorphia (who is that skinny person in the mirror), self-destructive behaviours, how to self-motivate after the applause from others has quieted, finding the balance between selfishness and selflessness post-surgery, learning appropriate boundaries, dating 101, releasing bitterness, support group junkies, when weight is no longer an excuse to sit on the sidelines, trading one addiction for another, LIVING FREE.

Forum: Each week, either Francisco or Robynn will share a bit on the chosen topic to introduce it. This topic will be distributed on the boards prior to the meeting to give all of you a chance to reflect, write down relevent questions (which you will be able to put in a ballot box, or e-mail to us prior to the meeting, if you'd prefer not to publicly submit the question). Please feel free to bring copies of articles, names of books, or anything else that you feel will add merit to the discussion. Afterwards, there will be open and free discussion, but we will respectfully redirect conversation if it is too focused on the physical issues: like the great shake debate. There are many other valuable forums for those questions, but this will not be the appropriate forum. We want to foster active participation in a respectful and safe environment. We will strictly enforce rules of respect:

one person talks at a time, quiet and shy people will be granted the right to talk, abusive negative responses to honest feelings will not be acceptable, all feelings are legitimate. We are hoping that this meeting is highly positive, and we will strongly encourage that negative feelings and thoughts will be turned around by the participants and listeners so that we can all leave feeling light and empowered.

In the final half hour, we will have open discussion and socializing, and people who need to go can do so. There is parking at the facility, and for those of you on BART, there is a direct bus that goes from Bart to the facility. Most of you can probably bum a ride back to BART at the end of the meeting.

Who are we? Francisco is a successful 2 year post op with incredible insight and wisdom. Robynn is merely a 2 month post-op, but has a Masters in Social Work, and has spent a lot of time being trained (and self-taught) on the subjects of body image, emotional eating, sexual and child abuse, and other relevent topics. Neither are shy, and will not hesitate to respectfully ensure that the environment is warm, supportive and respectful.

When: The Second Monday of every month. September 12 will be our first meeting. We will meet from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Who Are You? You are a post-op WLS patient who is interested in exploring the spiritual/emotional/mental aspects of life after WLS. In some instances, you are a pre-op who has specifically requested to attend a meeting because the topic is very pertinent to you...but you will be asked to be an observer only (although you can submit questions to us before the class, and we will address all relevent questions.) We do not want to exclude anybody, all pre-ops will be welcome, once they're on the other side. We do ask that you come with an open and positive spirit...prepared to live a great, full and exciting life. Even if you are a little scared or get derailed from time to time.

Where Exactly? 2425 Geary Boulevard, NW 3 Conference: Mezzanine. The Medical Office Building. San Francisco (not South SF.) There is a parking lot on the premises. Please note, this is across the street from the Kaiser French Campus Hospital.

Please join us! We look forward to sharing this journey together." ____________________________________________________Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs