The V trip & how I think it helps to go

October 21, 2003

Hello all! I am one of the group of graduates that congregated in

Vegas last week/this past weekend. I had a wonderful trip. This is

the second time that I have traveled to meet other's of " our kind "

and everytime, it is very rewarding for me. Last year, I went to

Houston for their WLS Patient Conference and this year I couldn't

resist the Grads2Vegas trip. Both trips have been enjoyable,

rewarding, learning experiences for me. I love our online support

groups and my local groups, but it helps me tremendously to connect

with other wls patients from various environs to hear in person their

stories, see them in the flesh, listen, & learn. Online, I can read

how you are doing or see your pic if you've posted it, but actually

meeting you and learning about your particular surgey, your

particular journey, helps me tremendously. I learn so much. I get a

better sense of how I am doing, how you are doing, what I could do

better, and even when I 'm being scolded (yes, Don, I'm leaving the

cap off now)it sinks in better when it is one on one. There were some

lovely people out there and really seeing them helped me deal with my

feeling that b/c of my age (I'll be thirty-twentynine in 3 wks) that

I didn't deserve to continue with plastics which I want, but had

convinced myself I didn't " deserve " b/c of my age. And now I see how

silly and self defeating that attitude is (yes I haven't lost that

fatgirl I don't deserve something b/c you are better than me

attitude). I hope to be able to continue to make at least one trip a

year to meet you guys, and I hope the grads continue to want to

gather.

I wish that I had met , but Connie and I had to be back to work

on Monday. I'm grateful to have met the ones that I did. There was

the lovely Lesley---oh my, such a beautiful woman. had said

she was quite stunning----she's that and more. And the effervescent

B, she is a hoot. I just about died when she told her " "

story. Her fella was very nice, but quiet, although I think

just shines and he sits there in awe of her. (But ---go get

scoped or just see your doc---you deserve to feel good). is

always entertaining and I got to meet Don, they are such a cute and

caring couple. And Connie---hey what would I do without you? She's

our " Mom " here in Oklahoma. Oh wow, was I ever impressed with Sue B,

and she just sparkles, what a trip she's made, I'm telling you guys

she just glows. Her personality illuminates the room.

Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to meet with you guys. Hopefully,

we can make this an annual thing. I'd love to visit with so many more

of you.

Melody

October 21, 2003

Can we make this a bi-annual thing? I know that might not be possible

for everyone to go 2x a year, but for those of us who didn't get to go

because we can't take off work this time of year, it would be great to

have a spring/summer trip to look forward to.

I want so badly to meet all of you in person, since you guys are my

main source of support. I live in a town where there is no bariatric

support except for the surgeons who are 120 miles away. I have been

dicussing with post-op friends here about starting a group in our

area, but it hasn't gotten off the ground. (I have been very busy what

with changing jobs, working on our biggest issues and of course season

tickets to the Dallas Cowboys games.)

Anyway, anyone who didn't get to go this time, can we weigh in on

trying to set something up for next Spring/Summer?

We could make it in Seattle, Portland, Chicago or Dallas. (I picked

the first four because I've never been there, hee hee.) Any ideas or

am the only one?

M

Amarillo, TX

> Hello all! I am one of the group of graduates that congregated in

> Vegas last week/this past weekend. I had a wonderful trip. This is

> the second time that I have traveled to meet other's of " our kind "

> and everytime, it is very rewarding for me. Last year, I went to

> Houston for their WLS Patient Conference and this year I couldn't

> resist the Grads2Vegas trip. Both trips have been enjoyable,

> rewarding, learning experiences for me. I love our online support

> groups and my local groups, but it helps me tremendously to connect

> with other wls patients from various environs to hear in person their

> stories, see them in the flesh, listen, & learn. Online, I can read

> how you are doing or see your pic if you've posted it, but actually

> meeting you and learning about your particular surgey, your

> particular journey, helps me tremendously. I learn so much. I get a

> better sense of how I am doing, how you are doing, what I could do

> better, and even when I 'm being scolded (yes, Don, I'm leaving the

> cap off now)it sinks in better when it is one on one. There were some

> lovely people out there and really seeing them helped me deal with my

> feeling that b/c of my age (I'll be thirty-twentynine in 3 wks) that

> I didn't deserve to continue with plastics which I want, but had

> convinced myself I didn't " deserve " b/c of my age. And now I see how

> silly and self defeating that attitude is (yes I haven't lost that

> fatgirl I don't deserve something b/c you are better than me

> attitude). I hope to be able to continue to make at least one trip a

> year to meet you guys, and I hope the grads continue to want to

> gather.

>

> I wish that I had met , but Connie and I had to be back to work

> on Monday. I'm grateful to have met the ones that I did. There was

> the lovely Lesley---oh my, such a beautiful woman. had said

> she was quite stunning----she's that and more. And the effervescent

> B, she is a hoot. I just about died when she told her " "

> story. Her fella was very nice, but quiet, although I think

> just shines and he sits there in awe of her. (But ---go get

> scoped or just see your doc---you deserve to feel good). is

> always entertaining and I got to meet Don, they are such a cute and

> caring couple. And Connie---hey what would I do without you? She's

> our " Mom " here in Oklahoma. Oh wow, was I ever impressed with Sue B,

> and she just sparkles, what a trip she's made, I'm telling you guys

> she just glows. Her personality illuminates the room.

>

> Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to meet with you guys. Hopefully,

> we can make this an annual thing. I'd love to visit with so many more

> of you.

> Melody

October 21, 2003

I think that's a great idea! I would be in favor of Seattle. There are

actually quite a few of us in Washington State. The attendance should be

great! Also, it would be much easier for VitaLady to make it.

Barbara Jean

Re: The V trip & how I think it helps to go

> Can we make this a bi-annual thing? I know that might not be possible

> for everyone to go 2x a year, but for those of us who didn't get to go

> because we can't take off work this time of year, it would be great to

> have a spring/summer trip to look forward to.

>

> I want so badly to meet all of you in person, since you guys are my

> main source of support. I live in a town where there is no bariatric

> support except for the surgeons who are 120 miles away. I have been

> dicussing with post-op friends here about starting a group in our

> area, but it hasn't gotten off the ground. (I have been very busy what

> with changing jobs, working on our biggest issues and of course season

> tickets to the Dallas Cowboys games.)

>

> Anyway, anyone who didn't get to go this time, can we weigh in on

> trying to set something up for next Spring/Summer?

>

> We could make it in Seattle, Portland, Chicago or Dallas. (I picked

> the first four because I've never been there, hee hee.) Any ideas or

> am the only one?

>

> M

> Amarillo, TX

>

> > Hello all! I am one of the group of graduates that congregated in

> > Vegas last week/this past weekend. I had a wonderful trip. This is

> > the second time that I have traveled to meet other's of " our kind "

> > and everytime, it is very rewarding for me. Last year, I went to

> > Houston for their WLS Patient Conference and this year I couldn't

> > resist the Grads2Vegas trip. Both trips have been enjoyable,

> > rewarding, learning experiences for me. I love our online support

> > groups and my local groups, but it helps me tremendously to connect

> > with other wls patients from various environs to hear in person their

> > stories, see them in the flesh, listen, & learn. Online, I can read

> > how you are doing or see your pic if you've posted it, but actually

> > meeting you and learning about your particular surgey, your

> > particular journey, helps me tremendously. I learn so much. I get a

> > better sense of how I am doing, how you are doing, what I could do

> > better, and even when I 'm being scolded (yes, Don, I'm leaving the

> > cap off now)it sinks in better when it is one on one. There were some

> > lovely people out there and really seeing them helped me deal with my

> > feeling that b/c of my age (I'll be thirty-twentynine in 3 wks) that

> > I didn't deserve to continue with plastics which I want, but had

> > convinced myself I didn't " deserve " b/c of my age. And now I see how

> > silly and self defeating that attitude is (yes I haven't lost that

> > fatgirl I don't deserve something b/c you are better than me

> > attitude). I hope to be able to continue to make at least one trip a

> > year to meet you guys, and I hope the grads continue to want to

> > gather.

> >

> > I wish that I had met , but Connie and I had to be back to work

> > on Monday. I'm grateful to have met the ones that I did. There was

> > the lovely Lesley---oh my, such a beautiful woman. had said

> > she was quite stunning----she's that and more. And the effervescent

> > B, she is a hoot. I just about died when she told her " "

> > story. Her fella was very nice, but quiet, although I think

> > just shines and he sits there in awe of her. (But ---go get

> > scoped or just see your doc---you deserve to feel good). is

> > always entertaining and I got to meet Don, they are such a cute and

> > caring couple. And Connie---hey what would I do without you? She's

> > our " Mom " here in Oklahoma. Oh wow, was I ever impressed with Sue B,

> > and she just sparkles, what a trip she's made, I'm telling you guys

> > she just glows. Her personality illuminates the room.

> >

> > Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to meet with you guys. Hopefully,

> > we can make this an annual thing. I'd love to visit with so many more

> > of you.

> > Melody

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

October 21, 2003

,

Sounds like a good idea to me. How about New Orleans or anywhere in the

middle of the country so everyone doesn't have to travel too far. Dallas

would be excellant also.

B