New and starting y Journey

I don't know where to start, I have a lot of questions and I am looking for some help.   I am going through Fairview Southdale ( I work there) and have had my first appointment.  I have started the Psych. consult and am doing blood work tomorrow.  I have been trying to look at as many forums as I can along with talking to as many people as I can to get the info that I want.  I guess what I am still looking for is the nitty gritty.  Everyone who has had the procedure done seems so happy, is this really how everyone feels.  Did anyone really, really, struggle?  How has the life change been.  What's been the hardest part?  I need to hear the good, the bad and the ugly!  Part of me is ready to go but part of me is really scared.   Do you really take 1/2 hr to eat your food and do you really chew it to puree?  Do you have to eat this way forever?   Are there any foods that you can't have at all...ever?   I guess I just need some real direction and help, any thing that anyone want's to share with me will be very helpful, so thanks in advanced!!!!

First off welcome to the MN board. You will find lots of great people and support here.  I went through Fairview Southdale with Dr. Benn. I had my surgery 12/14/07 I'm just 4 months out. I went into this surgery thinking that had problems that people ran into would not hit me I'm invisiable. Oh well I was wrong. Right after surgery I was in alot of pain and it took me a good week or so for the pain to improve. I'm not a big fan of drugs so part of this was my fault. All in all the first 20 days or so were great for me. When I moved to the pureed stage is when it seemed to just go downhill. I was not able to eat anything not even a popsicle, yogurt, or anything smooth like that. I was basically living off of wha****er I could keep down.  I went in 3 time in a month period for dehyrdration, tried countless things to try to solve this problem of why can't I keep anything down. Finally in Feb. I went to the ER under the advisement of Dr. Benn. I had yet again more test to see what the problem was. Finally they did a scope test and found that the opening to allow food through was too small. It was about 3cmm and should be betweeen 10-12. Once this was  corrected things seem to improve immediately. I don't tell you this to scare you but to be honest. Oh by the way Dr. Benn said that this only happens in about 1 out of 800 patients.  With that said I do not regret a moment of this journey. I would do it all over again even if I knew that I would have that little bump in the road.  As of today I'm about 100lbs lost (30 lost before surgery). I'm wearing a size smaller than I can even remember wearing even in high school. I have more engery to keep up with my son and my new SOCIAL LIFE... HA HA I have met so many wonderful people from this board that I'm happy to call my friends.

As far as the rules I try my hardest to follow them but I am not perfect. I try to have my meals last at least 20 mins and always wait the 30 mins after a meal before I drink. I also try to chew my food as best as possible I do not want anything to get stuck. There are foods that we should not have. I'm afraid of sugar and have not tried anything sweet. Partly afraid of how it will affect me and the other part is that it will not affect me and I will not know how to stay away. So I just do not try it.  My suggestion to you is to research as much as possible before making the big step. Also if you can make it to a coffee group with the people from this board that will help you in learning about the process. in addition to this board. Sometime its nice to talk face to face with people.  There is coffee's every weekend. I see that you are from Prior Lake. This weekend there is coffee at Panera Bread at located at the Burnsville Center starting at 8:30. Next weekend is the Eagan coffee which meets at the Byerlys at the same time.  Please if you have any questions feel free to contact me anytime.  Welcome and wishing you all the best.

Just popping in to say WELCOME to the MN board. You have picked a great place to come to. The people here are fabuulous!! Just ask away...you will get many suggestions and much support. Good luck on your journey!! Hugs, connie d

Welcome!!!  You have come to a GREAT place for help and support.  Congratulations on takin gthe first step of this life changing journey! To make a long story short, yes I TRULY am happy and have absolutely NO regrets of having this surgery.  It has changed my life.  Sure, it's an adjustment.  There are rules.  Its not a miracle...you are given a tool and a set of rules you have to follow.  I was obese for many years and tried every diet imaginable but with no success.  This surgery forced me to have the good eating habits I should have had all along and it has retrained me to eat.  I feel like I have control again for the first time in as long as I can remember.  Sure, there are less glamorous sides to this surgery - getting stuck, having that icky feeling when you eat too fast, dumping, etc.  But I look at it like an electric fence - enough zaps and you learn your lesson...and sometimes you don't even want to go near that fence to have to learn a lesson in the first place. lol  Now, it's all second nature to me and I barely remember that old binging, eating until I feel stuffed sick and bloated blechy old me....and I don't ever want to go back!  Never ever ever! I seriously would have this surgery 10 times over again - that is how grateful I am for it.  It was the best thing I ever did! Good luck! (((Hugs))) Michelle

Hello and welcome... I went through Fairview Southdale and had my surgery Dec 13th 2007.  Dr. Benn is amazing what a wonderful man.  His staff and I mean everyone there is great.  Any questions you have, any fears, anything you name it they are there for you.  I am so thankful I had this surgery.  I have not had any problems only if I eat to fast or too much I have to get rid of it.  Other than that it is awesome.  Good luck to you and keep us posted.  Everyone on here is awesome as well any questions or if you need anything we are all here for you.....  Take care honey and keep us posted..... Hugs Marsha

Welcome! I did not go through your clinic, however, I have had no problems. This biggest downfall I have had is that I had too give up a couple food item I enjoyed like mac and cheese and fried rice. i over ate on those anyways so it is better than I can't tolerate. i used to get back pain just going through Cub foods and it took only 3 weeks after surgery to be able to walk pain free. What freedom!!! Good luck on your journey.

I LOVE Michelle's analogy of the electric fence!  Girl, that is BRILLIANT!   You don't know if that fence is live or not, so if you touch it, you could get zapped!   Let's just say "going there" = eating evil food (such as a DQ blizzard), and the zap from the electric fence = dumping or getting stuck. Are you too afraid to even go there?  GOOD!   Do you take your chances, try something and get zapped?  GOOD!   Do you take your chances, try something, NOT get zapped by the fence, but end up beating yourself up and suffering the guilt?  GOOD! It's part of the charm of the tool of WLS - I think it's ALL GOOD if you have the right attitude! 

Hi and Welcome to the Board! I had surgery in August 2007 so I am just 8 months out.  I still do chew everything very very well and if something doesn't get chewed up well enough I spit it out.  I am not risking it!  I have had absolutely no complications at all~ I can eat almost anything but I do not eat alot of carbs~ I have one piece of toast in the morning and thats about it.  I follow the rules pretty religiously and very seldom eat things I shouldn't so I do believe that helps.  I know that this board is awesome for any questions you have~ they are all extremely helpful awesome people and never ever think a question is too silly!  Ask away with anything!  Ok well good luck with your journey Kristi

Thank you guys sooo much for your words!!!!  You have told me exactly what I am looking for.  I have been a food addict for so long it's hard to imagine a life where it doesn't rule the roost.   I am just scared because this is not something that you change your mind about once it's done.  Im scared that I can't do it...follow the diet and the rules.  I will be on a lot asking more questions for sure!  First one being recipes!!!  If anyone has any good recipes I would love to have them!!! I am also wondering if there are any protien shakes you recommend? Kristi, is Hacks Pub still around?  We used to stop there before heading to Denuccis!   This was a long time ago but I have had lot's of fun up in your neck of ther woods!