How to Start a Bariatric Support Group

Obesity and other bariatric issues are often complicated and difficult to handle alone. A support group may be a great opportunity to meet others going through the same things as yourself. If there isn't already a support group in your area, starting one yourself is possible. While it will take a considerable amount of time and preparation on your part, it can be an empowering experience.

Instructions

• 1

  Decide what format you want the support group to take. Do you want the support group to meet in person? Would an online support group work just as well? You will want to consider how much time you have to contribute to the support group. How often will you want to meet? If you have time and the ability to meet weekly or monthly on a regular basis, then maybe a support group in person is for you. If you find that you need a support group most in the middle of the night, then an online support group will probably work better. You can always use a combination of both as well.

• 2

  Find a venue for the support group. If you've decided hosting the support group in person is the path you want to take, then you need to find a venue for it. One option includes paying for a conference room at a hotel. These can be pricey, so you may want to make sure that those participating in the support group might be willing to pitch in if you decide to take this route. Other options include churches and schools. Some support groups alternate whose home hosts the group, but this might deter some from joining.

  Where ever you decide to physically host the support group, you will want to think about access. Especially for a bariatric support group, there may be some mobility issues, so wheelchair accessibility might be something to consider.

  If you decided that you'd rather have an online support group, there are several ways to go about this. You could start a community blog, a chat, a social networking site, or a bulletin board. There are several free websites that provide these services such as Blogger, Ning, DailyStrength, or IRC.

• 3

  Define the mission of your group. While it may be a bariatric support group, what kind of support group is it? Is it for those considering bariatric surgery or for those who've already had it? Is this support group for those who are just dealing with obesity and do not want surgery? Are loved ones or friends allowed? Do you want professionals to participate or facilitate discussions?

  After you define the group, what will the group focus on? There are many different ways to approach this. You can share professional contacts or just share experiences. This does not have to be strictly defined right away and can always be revisited when you have more people involved.

• 4

  Recruit participants for your support group. Support groups' main strength are the people who are involved; so if you do not get the word out, then your support group won't succeed. Ways to do this include posting on websites or on sites such as Craigslist to get the word out, or even hanging up a flier in a coffee shop, at a community center or a bariatric surgeon's office.

  The Self Help Resource Centre recommends keeping the support group relatively small when you begin (about 4-15 people). The SHRC says, "This is large enough to bring a variety of experiences to the group, yet small enough to allow everyone a chance to participate."