Judy Mollenkamp and her husband welcome familiar faces, as well as new ones into their Bartlesville home every month. It all started when a small group of bariatric patients decided to start meeting to talk about their common experiences. Judy talked to Dr. JoeBob Kirk and he encouraged the idea of officially forming a support group. “Dr. Kirk has been coming to my house for five years, monthly and the support group has grown from four people to 20 to 30 people per month,” says Judy. “I think meeting the people has just been the best. People from all walks come wanting the same thing out of life - to be a better person and not looked down on for being overweight. Each one has a different story.”
Judy says what has kept this support group not only going, but thriving over the last five years is rooted in the friendships that are formed when people share common journeys. “Through talking and sharing with each other we make everlasting friends,” she adds. “We have some that are starting their journey and some much further along. We all bond. The sharing and encouraging each other is the best part.”
Support group meetings are designed for post-op as well as pre-op patients. Anyone considering The Center for Bariatrics at Bailey Medical Center is welcome to attend one of the eight active monthly support group meetings throughout Northeastern Oklahoma. Judy says it is a great time to get any questions answered. “Mostly we answer any and I mean ALL the questions the people have,” she explains. “We are not shy here. We are not afraid to share.”
Personally, Judy says leading and attending support group each month has helped her tremendously in her weight loss journey. “As for me, just having met so many people, keeping the friends through this entire journey, is as good as it gets – especially Dr. Kirk,” she adds. “He is always here, giving us information, listening to us visit and helping in the way only he can. Everyone loves him.”
To find a support group location near you, please visit our GEAR Support Group page.