Richmond Support Group meetings

[Guest guest]

:

I hear you about the two " Chatty Cathies. "

I can't believe that this is still a problem at Kaiser Richmond.

I had my surgery almost 3 years ago and getting to Richmond for

support group meetings was an issue with taking time off of work,

logistics, etc.

The problem was that I was upset after every meeting because

of " cross talk. " Some people just couldn't keep their mouths shut

while others were talking. Furthermore, two women (I hope not the

same two) had a VERY NEGATIVE tone and would constantly complain and

bash the program and surgeons.

I finally had to tell my case manager that I could no longer tolerate

a support group where I had to decompress afterwards. I needed

something with more structure, mutual support and respect. I also

needed a more positive tone.

Luckily, I found it at Kaiser SSF in Gity's group. She is GREAT at

not allowing cross talk, and I love the way she speaks to us about

the real issues regarding our journey. However, I think that KSSF

may be overwhelmed at the moment, so I'm not sure if they are

allowing people from other programs to join their support groups.

But I do know that Gity leads a Tuesday drop-in support group (12:30 -

2 PM) that is FANTASTIC. And anyone can attend that group.

Anyway, good luck with the 10%. 14lbs is so doable. You're almost

there!

Francisco

>

>

> Lilka, Hi, my name is . I was at the Richmond support meeting

last

> night. I remember your comment about the cherry tomatoes! I was

the

> second person to the left of you. I have dark hair and came in a

few

> minutes late. I liked the meeting except for those 2 " Chatty Cathy "

> women who kept on talking and talking. They were both so negative!

> They were also very rude when anyone else tried to talk they

continued

> to talk to each other. Why didn't they just have their own meeting

> somewhere else? I really felt they tried to monopolize the

meeting. I

> had to bite my tongue to keep from saying something to them. I

walked

> out with about 4 other ladies and I said that the meeting was good

> except for those 2 and they all started laughing because they were

> thinking the same thing. I will continue to go though because I do

> learn something each time and it's great to talk to people who are

going

> through the same thing. You really feel the support and I leave

feeling

> much better than when I walked in. Family and friends always say

they

> understand what we must be going through. But unless you have

actually

> struggled with your weight you really have no idea.

>

> Anyway, I continue to work on losing my 10%. I have about 14 lbs.

to

> go. I will introduce myself at the next meeting if you like.

[;]

>