FRESH BEGINNINGS SUPPORT GROUP

Are you ready to move on? Join a group of weight loss trendsetters who have already taken that step and shed a hundred extra pounds. Sit down with us and chat a while. You'll find that a change in how you eat along with exercise brings great results.

However, if you've tried everything and nothing has worked for you, visit our web site at www.uab.edu/obesitysurgery.You will find a different perspective to weight loss through the Laparoscopic Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass operation. It has the best rating in terms of long-term weight loss!

As a service to our patients and the community, we provide a free informal monthly support group for patients who have undergone or who are considering gastric bypass surgery for severe obesity. This program provides education and shared personal experience to help patients achieve the full benefit in adjusting to their surgery. All patients are encouraged to attend if possible.

SCHEDULE FOR GASTRIC BYPASS SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS
VIEW THE MAP
All “Fresh Beginnings” meetings will be held in the West Pavilion Conference Center Room E, unless you are notified by the staff.

November 30, 2009 @ 6:30PM Speakers: Dr. Ronald Clements Mr. Jeff Estes Deborah Thedford, RN, MSN Topic: “Men and Women Health Issues” (A special break out session for women and men to discuss health issues after WLS)

No Meeting In May or December 2009 We always meet the last Monday of the month, except May and December. You are welcome to bring friends, family or co workers to the meeting. We ask that everyone sign in when attending the meetings.

January 25, 2010 @ 6:30 pm Speaker: Dr. Jayleen Grams Assistant Professor, UAB Department of Surgery Bariatric Surgery Services Topic: “A New You”

February 22, 2010 @ 6:30PM Speaker: Allison Kay, RN Quality of Life Medical Topic: “Why Your Body Needs B12”

March 29, 2010 @ 6:30pm Moderator: Deborah Thedford, RN, MSN (call Deborah to tell your story 205-996-6984) Topic: Patient Panel

April 26, 2010 @6:30PM Speaker: Nursing Staff 7 North Certified Bariatric Nurses Topic: “Your Care Needs Immediately After Bariatric Surgery”

May 2010 NO MEETING!

June 28, 2010 @ 6:30PM Speaker: Deborah Thedford, RN, MSN Coordinator Bariatric Surgery, UAB Hospital Topic: “UAB Weight Loss Program"

July 26, 2010 @ 6:30PM Speaker: Merritt White, RN UAB Bariatric Clinic Nurse Topic: “Follow Up Visits”

August 30, 2010 @ 6:30PM Moderator: Mary Lou Ziroli, RD, CDE Kirklin Clinic Educator Topic: “Nutrition and Bariatric Surgery”

September 27, 2010 @ 6:30PM Speaker: Jaime Stuteville Patient Support Specialist Topic: “Approval From Insurance”

October 25, 2010 @ 6:30PM Speaker: Round Table Topics: “My Success After Surgery”, “I Wish They Had Told Me This…”, “I Would Do It Over Again”, “Concerns I Have”, etc.

November 29, 2010 @ 6:30PM OPEN HOUSE Tour of UAB Bariatric Unit

No Meeting In May or December 2010 We always meet the last Monday of the month, except May and December. You are welcome to bring friends, family or co workers to the meeting. We ask that everyone sign in when attending the meetings. View the support group schedule for 2010 in PDF format

At each meeting we will have an exercise tip for the month presented by
Brian King, PT
Physical Therapy Department UAB Hospital
For information on Pool Program and Post Surgical Exercise call 205 934 1163.

You are welcome to attend the Free Bariatric Community Seminars held the second Thursday of each month in the West Pavilion Board Room, beginning at 6PM (attendance will count as one support group meeting if attended before surgery). The seminars are open to the public. Come and learn more about the different operations to treat obesity.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Clements office at 205-975-0471
Deborah Thedford, Coordinator at 205-996-6984 - dthedfor@uabmc.edu
615 18th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35233

UAB Support Group-Montgomery Alabama You are invited to attend the UAB Fresh Beginnings support group in Montgomery, Alabama the third Thursday of each month at 6 PM. UAB Health Center-Auditorium 4371 Narrow Lane Road Suite 200 334-284-5211 1-888-465-0765 toll free Jackie Byrd 334-551-2010 jbyrd@uabmontgomery.com or Rebecca Hollingsworth Rossworth1727@yahoo.com (you will be given credit for pre op visits only if staff members from UAB Hospital is present at the meetings attended before your surgery) We invite all of our patients in this area to attend. There are more than 200 patients in this area. Remember your commitments when you began the process to have your weight loss surgery (WLS). Life style changes, keeping your follow up doctors’ appointments and joining a support group, just to name a few. Are you keeping your commitments? We pledge to keep ours! Staff from UAB Hospital will attend the meetings in Montgomery at least quarterly. We want to make sure that you receive credit for attending the support group meetings. Please be sure to sign in when you attend. The sign in sheet is your proof that you attended the meetings. Agenda Fresh Beginnings Support Group Montgomery, Alabama January 15, 2009 6 PM Speaker: Opal Watson, RN, MSN, CWOCN LTC Nolan Center Topic: Skin Safety February 19, 2009 6 PM Speaker: Dr. Kenneth Ligarary UAB Health Endocrinologist Topic: Diabetes March 19, 2009 6 PM Speaker: Jennifer Anderson, RN, MSN, MBA, CCRN Acute Care Clinical Account Manager, KCI Topic: Bariatric Surgery Hospital Equipment April 16, 2009 6 PM Speaker: Dr. Ronald Clements Director Bariatric Surgery UAB Hospital Topic: Words of Wisdom May 21, 2009 6 PM Speaker: Deborah Thedford, RN, MSN UAB Bariatric Coordinator Topic: Why a Support Group? June 18, 2009 6 PM Speakers: Patient Panel Topic: Experiences After WLS July 16, 2009 6 PM Speaker: Dr. Karl Kirkland Psychologist UAB Health Systems Topic: Unconscious vs. Conscious Eating August 20, 2009 6 PM Speaker: Deborah Thedford, RN, MSN UAB Bariatric Coordinator Topic: Staying On Track September 17, 2009 6 PM Open House 1 (one) Year Anniversary Invite a lost WLS Patient October 15, 2009 6 PM Speaker: TBA Topic: Exercise Plans November19, 2009 6 PM Speaker: Rebecca Hollingsworth Jackie Byrd Topic: Look At Us Now! December 17, 2009 6 PM Pot Luck Picture Sharing Success! UAB Health Systems……medicine that touches the world. UAB Health Center 4371 Narrow Lane Road Suite 200 Montgomery Alabama 36116 334-551-2010 Or contact Deborah Thedford dthedfor@uabmc.edu 205-996-69984 Speakers schedules are subject to change without prior notice!!!