This is by far the best nonprofit I’ve been a part of. I absolutely love the drive it has to help others within its family and community. From the BlueJay auction to random acts of kindness for essential works to school supply drives, this group has unconditional love for it a members.
Our Ohana is just that, one big family. We support each other any way possible, and help those who need help as well. This group is incredible. But what makes this an amazing non-profit is the leaders and founders who refuse to give up on people who struggle with their WL journeys. The group has incredible resources, and they are all heart. I’m so blessed and honored to have been accepted by this group. There’s no judgment here; there is just love and support. I’m proud of our Ohana!
I've been a member for about 2 years. When I first started my journey I was scared and confused. I never thought a group of strangers would become family. The care and support are real. They take time to reach out to me when I'm struggling. They really are family.
this group has been so beyond amazing and supportive. When I have had no one else to stand beside me, this group has become my go to, my family.
They go way beyond helping with weight loss, you can make friends that will last a life time
My experience with Bariatric Weight loss Family has been really good. I can ask questions and get great advice on how to deal with something. Get support when I need it most. This group has helped me.
This nonprofit I'd the best I have been in for over 6 years. The support they give is more than I got from my own bariatric group. This group goes above and beyond to help out and give back.
BWLF is absolutely amazing. Gail is a true rock star and does everything she can to help everyone. She just busted her butt to raise money to purchase medical equipment for a little boy that so desperately needed.
BWLF has been my life saver for a number of years. This family is loving, caring, generous and all around the best group of people I have ever met! Their amazing charity work for children in need goes above and beyond any organization I have ever witnessed. Gail thank you for all you do for us and those children and Families in need of help!!
Very supportive group of people! I had bariatric surgery about 2 years ago. BWLF has inspired me, challenged me, encouraged me in some of my most challenging times! I can’t say enough about them! When you join BWLF, you are indeed with FAMILY!
They are so supportive and non judgemental of my journey. They ensure a safe space to get support. I am so glad I found them. Thank you all.
BWL GROUP EVER! The quintessential in assisting those who have difficulties, questions, which provides: a Non Judge-mental, guilt free, positive and supportive platform, during a very difficult transition and change.
This “Family” of thousands along with my Wife and the: love, non judge mental support and encouragement of BWLF. I have a longer, healthier life, and a chance to give back to others! Love ya BWLF, we are “Ohana Strong“
This is by far the most supportive group that I have ever been involved with. The emotional support provided on a daily basis has been incredibly beneficial to the success of my journey.
This group is more than family. I've fallen on hard times this year. This group has helped my family with back to school supplies and the June project for Christmas. Absolutely love this group.
Ohana is exactly what it means Ohana.
We are thousands of people strong and every single person is kind,giving,understanding, basically any positive word you can think of.
This year has been a struggle for my husband and I, I applied for the assistance with Christmas. I was asked 4 wants 4 needs and they would list what it was each of my children wanted.
There was a woman who bought my daughters whole list!! Thats so HUGE. The kindness shown and given to a child that that person doesn’t even know!!! Just amazes me!
And to think Ohano is thousands deep with people just like this woman!! I love my Ohana and Im so glad to gave found their love and support! I wouldn’t have made it this far.
Thank you Ohana!
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As both a donor and a recipient of this charity, I can tell you my experience with it has been nothing short of amazing. It is well run by some of the most kind-hearted people I've ever had the privilege of knowing. They truly are family!
I stumbled across this delightful ohana group and suddenly felt like I was accepted again even tho I'm not always vocal in groups seeing others post about issues same as mine and the support the team and group gives gives me hope when I was at my darkest days I never was seeking assistance for my children even tho I have prayed for a break on all the bad luck this year has brought me and yet here I am with such family team that my kids actually will have a Christmas they never shy away from the hard questions or situations they go running like a bull they give true meaning to what a support team is not only a team a lifelong family
This amazing group has helped my family so much! My son is epileptic and has a lot of nocturnal seizures and they are fundraising to help us get some medical equipment he needs! They also helped assist with Christmas this year as I was a full time student who just started working a month ago. They truly treat you like family and I am blessed to be apart of this amazing group. The founder and mod squad always go above and beyond to make it a safe place! So grateful for my Ohana!
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I love my family! Gail reeves is an amaving leader we have some of the most amazing mods and everyone is so loving and caring we are a family! I would never give these amazing people up!
This group is so amazing! Whenever I feel nervous about my decisions, they are there to help me. They help so many people every day
I really appreciate this group of wonderful people, I only wish I would have had support like this when I first had my RNY surgery back in 2004. I love the insight and camaraderie that comes along with being part of this group.
I was added to this group by a friend of mine when I was in the the planning stages of surgery and am now 8 months post op. This group has been loving, encouraging, informative, and humorous the whole entire way. From the Admins to its members, this is a spectacular support group. Weight loss surgery isn’t easy, and this is a wonderful place to learn from all sorts of experiences and walks of life. I’m so thankful for this group!
I am on the journey and about to have surgery coming up in September, I found this group in Feb when a friend who has had WLS added me. All I can say is I have never seen such a more beautiful community of people who do nothing but lift each other up and encourage one another. Every one really treats each other as family and offers a lot of support and willingness to help others on their journeys. There were times I thought about quitting but thank you to these individuals I feel confident I am making the best choice for myself.
I'm in the process of getting a sleeve to rny revision with hiatal hernia repair. So, I joined a revision group. Let me tell you, there is no group like BWLF! You guys are awesome. I left that group yesterday. A member of the revision group posted that she was doing a pouch reset to help her lose again. Another member was just so vile. She commented resets dont work. She then began a tyrade of trying to argue with a few people. All I could think is ,this would NEVER be allowed on BWLF! I'm so thankful for this group and the admins and mods who make sure we are all being supported, not ridiculed.
This group has been a support system and a life-line for myself and so many others. The availability and attention given to every member is just beyond comparison with any other group I’ve been involved in.
Amazing supportive organization. Some days it is the only positive accepting non-judgemental space. I check in when i need a boost in my life. Love them.
Keeps my healthy mind and body on track.
I accidentally stumbled across Family 1 year ago. In that time I've received so much love from a woman that was a complete stranger, who had decided to change the world for the good. This stranger, is now one of my closest, dearest, friends, this once stranger is now my sister. A woman who has a heart of a warrior and thinks of others before herself, who gives selflessly without a second thought, and loves so fierce, you can feel it from the words she types.
So thank you Gail for loving us strangers so unconditionally, we're all so grateful for you.
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BWLF is made up of the most loving & accepting people going. The amount of support they give is unparalleled. You simply cannot find a better group of people. ❤
I was lost until I found this amazing group, who I now call FAMILY! The love, support, and encouragement is beyond what anyone could ever expect or imagine!!!
The amount of love and support is beyond anything I could have imagined when my husband and I found this group.
Hi I am so amazed by all the love and support this family had for me and everyone in it! I am beyond d grateful for all of them. They are so amazing. I dont think I could have gotten thru my surgery if i hadnt had all the support!
I’m still pre-op but this group has been so kind and welcoming. So many questions have been answered for me. Thank you!
I'm just over 3 years post op and the support I get and share with this group is indispensable. It's more than just about weight. It's about overall health. Everything we do affects how we think of ourselves and so many of us eat for comfort. With all the support in all areas of our lives it makes eating a part of our lives instead of the driving force behind it. This group has literally saved my life with the amount of love everyone has.
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Bwlfamily is an amazing group of dedicated volunteers who truly have the purest of hearts. The love is imaginable. I have never met a more passionate team that is for the good of all people. We are all involved daily in making family a true safe haven and place that people can just be themselves without fear of judgment. I am blessed to be a part of something so big and for such a good cause. Everyday is an adventure in our wonderful family. If you’re looking for the best support group ever, you’ve found it at Bariatric Weight Loss Family!!!
We are an amazing and diversified Family of those that are pre and post BWLS along with those that are looking to gain informative and honest information from those that have been through the journey. We support and help those in need and raise funds through various yearly function to help raise the funds to help. Ohana is our motto - Ohana means Family and Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten
This group is beyond amazing. The help they offer tens of thousands of people daily is truly remarkable and they have forever impacted my life! They are the best family you could hope to have!
BWLF has been the only group that has been a completely judgment free and supportive. They don't judge you or food police you. I have made life-long friends in this group. We have become more than a Facebook group. We have become a charity, bringing attention to important causes and supporting people in need. We are a family and I'm so honored to be a part of it.
Every single day we help tens of thousands of people. Our goal is to change the world with kindness And I can honestly say I see that happened every single day
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BWLF has made an impact on my life and offered so much support, love and help before and after my surgery. They truly are like family (except the kind you actually wANt to be around!) I don’t know where I would be without these folks!!
@46.5 years of age I was experiencing signs of heart failure, due to my being morbidly obese @328 lbs and 5’10”. Wasn’t able to do the cardio required to lose the weight, due to a partially severed ACL to my right knee. I was searching for a site that supported surgical weight loss. I searched several sites, and came across BWLF site. I joined and they accepted me.
In the last three years being involved with non profit site. I have seen it grow from a few thousand members, to close to 17K.
The unconditional, non judge mental, and sound support to its members, along with all the projects to help others is just awe inspiring and generosity that’s unparalleled by any other BWLF site out there.
This “Family” has a unique saying in “Ohana Strong” (No one gets left behind. It’s been a crucial asset to me, as I went through the process of choosing to the procedure I went through 9/19/16. I’ve lost a total of 154 pounds! My outlook and prognosis vastly improved. This Family was a vital part of my taking back control of my weight and saving my life.
This group helped me with any concerns before my surgery and with the many questions I had afterwards. The love and support I get and give as one of the Mods in this group, is truly that of a family.
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My name is Cathy and I am one of the MODS in BWLF. I joined this group before my surgery for information and support. This group has become much more than that for me now. I had the priveledge of meeting our founder, Gail Reeves and several others at the 2018 WLSFA convention in San Antonio where our group won the first annual GOTY award. This group truly is all about family. And I’m honored that Gail bestowed her trust in me to help moderate the group. Her values and ours are what keep BWLF a safe environment for all members.
When my children were in need of school supplies at the beginning of the school year, they helped out. I’m so thankful for their generosity!
I've been in this group for well over 2 years. It has helped me in so many different ways. I could never repay them for all they have done for me. From counseling me when I needed to talk to advising me on what todo.
This group is an amazing community, full of people willing to answer questions, be a listening ear, and offer support and encouragement. It really has become a family.
Two years ago I started researching upon researching service dogs for Hunter. I was determined to get Hunter a service dog for his epilepsy. I was quickly discouraged when I was turned down due to either a 3-5 year waitlist or Hunter didn’t have “enough” seizures to be eligible or the costs that came with training. Then we met an angel. Gail Reeves. This angel went above and beyond to raise funds to make this goal obtainable by having a silent auction. People from across the country donated items and also auctioned on items. They raised more then what was expected. So I started another search for trainers who would train a dog to be able to be a service dog and after many phone interviews with different trainers I knew the Dogtor was the one after talking to him for a half hour on the phone. His knowledge of obedience was phenomenal. He heard Hunters story and not only was excited to take on the task, he matched what was raised. We are so blessed to be able to take this picture and remember the road that began this determination all be complete. Never give up on what may seem unreachable.
This nonprofit group is amazing they have help me an so many ways through out my journey there is always a helping hand to give advice when needed an recently providing me with school supplies for my two girls in my time of need I’m very grateful for this group
I found Family when i started researching bariatric surgery support. family is the 1st group I joined. very compassionate, friendly people. They have answered many questions for me along this journey
When you think of an online support group you don't think "These will be my friends and family". However this is what you get when you join BWLF! They welcome you to the group when you join, check up on you if you are having health issues, come together and support you in a time of need! Whether you just need to lurk and absorb the information or be an active participant you are welcome and loved!
I was really nervous about having bariatric surgery. I found this charity and they by far exceeded my expectations. If you need them, they’re there. They judge no one and love and respect everyone! I share them with everyone I meet who is considering it has had surgery!!
The support I've received before and after surgery is invaluable! This group and its founder truly care and show it with daily encouragement,checking in on those who are Ill and giving to those who can't afford their vitamins and protein and more! I can't say enough good things about them.
Bwlf has given me a sense of belonging. No matter what I'm going thru I know that I can come here be heard and understood. I can turn to family and know that I won't be judged, but guided.
I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing this group is. I was so nervous and afraid of having my surgery and I joined this group and they have made me feel like I was family and made me feel confident. I will always be grateful for this group. They are my O’hana ♥️
Had the sleeve done in January of 2018. It has been a blessing being able to chat with people who have had surgery prior to me. This group continues to be a blessing after surgery by being there cheering you on and never judging you.
Never have I met a more caring &loving group of people who became my family .These people really care about you&love you
This group is AMAZING!! It is a safe place where we can vent in private with others going through similar situations. And even if they aren't, they help in all other ways. This is a support group and they do just that, but they are also FAMILY! Thank you Gail and all moderators, you are all super AWESOME!! Thank you to all the members, you are awesome people as well!!
This is so much more than 'just a Facebook group'. They are truly family. Support is given in many forms whether it be an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, inspiration and guidance when you're feeling lost or a heart felt cheering section when you share your accomplishments.
The bariatric process is a life changing event and most people who have never had bariatric surgery don't really 'get it'. Every aspect of your day-to-day life can be impacted in some way. The awesome moderators are committed to keeping Family a safe, judgement free place for all their members.
Personally, as soon as I found BWLF, I felt at home. There is always someone ready to lend an ear or share what they've learned. It's reassuring to know you're not alone with your experience, no matter what stage you are at.
