Having surgery in a week...looking for friends in Fergus Falls / Alexandria area

I will be have my surgery on Jan 12th and I have been looking for people in the Fergus Falls / Alexandria area who have had or are going to have WLS.  It is hard to go to St Cloud or farther to have people to talk with so if you are in my area let me know.  Sandy

 HI Sandra

Congrats on your surgery date!  I live in Alex.  I posted awhile ago looking for a support group in the area and didn't really get much response other than an open invitation for the good folks at St. Cloud.  

I had surgery August 17th in Houston.  I was doing great until I moved back here and now I am struggling so much.  So I don't  know if I'm the best person for you right now.  I do, however, remember very clearly all my fears before surgery and what happened after.  I had bypass.  Had a great surgeon.  But I wasn't happy with the aftercare.  Make sure you have strong support after surgery.  You've already gone 2 steps ahead just by posting.  

I've found OH to be a very good resource.  Whatever is going on for me, there seems to be someone online who gets it.

Are you have the lapband or bypass?  

Let me know how you are doing and good luck on the 12th!

Hi there...I think any support at all is good support.  I am having a hard time finding people in the area who have had the bypass...that is what I am having.  Every one I meet has had or wants to have the lapband, which is good but I know for me, I would have to travel to St. Cloud for follow ups and the bypass is more practical. 

What kind of issues are you having now that you are in MN?  I know that for me, everything that we do with friends and family is always about food.  Going to parties or out with friends or family so that is making things difficult but so far all of my friends have been very supportive and helpful but i don't think anyone who hasn't done this really understands what you go through or what you feel. 

I am hoping we can stay in touch and talk so I will add you as a friend.

Sandy

There is a group of RYN patients that meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Glenwood Hospital in the little room off the cafeteria in the basement at 6:30pm.  Don't know if you would be interested.  There was a group in Alex at the hospital but not sure if they are still meeting anymore.  I believe that there might be a group in Fergus. Not use when they meet but I could find out if you were interested. 

I too had RYN in June 06 and live in the area.  Would be fun to get a group together.

 Hi Gentle Persuasion!

Thanks for the info about the Glenwood Group.  That or the Fergus Group would be fine with me.  I just have a feeling there are people in the Alex area who need to get together and it would be a little closer than St. Cloud. 

Would you and Sandy be interested in getting together?  I'll add you to my friends list.

Thanks for your reply.

 Hi Sandy,
I'm so sorry, I missed your response!   When is your surgery?  How are you doing?  I remember I was sooooo nervous.  I wasn't sure I was ready and I wasn't sure I'd have enough weight off.  AARRGGH!

What problems am I having since returning.  I have avoided this surgery for years.  My sister had it and did well.  But I'm such a compulsive eater and so addicted to food.  I feared I would eat right out of it.  Before surgery, I even had a dream that scared the crap outta me.  I dreamt that I ate one slice of bread too much and my little pouch ruptured.  When I went into surgery, I was floating above the table and watching!  I was so embarrassed and ashamed as I watched the surgeon slowly pick out of my belly, everything that I'd eating!  Creepy huh?  Well, you should know my surgeon had just told me a story about a lady who decided to have fajitas too soon and they had done such a surgery on her.  

Anyway, my biggest fear seems to be happening.  I'm eating almost like I used to.  Definately not the quantities...thank heaven.  But my pouch is packed often.  I've realized, again, that its my addiction to food.  I have had more help and more help.  I have no reason to be running to food right now.  I just don't get it.  I'm happier than I've been in YEARS!  I've lost about 94 lbs.  I fell better.  But since I moved back 3 months ago, I've only dropped 7 pounds.  Its me, my eating and I'm not all that sure what to do to stop.  

I finally connected with the folks in St. Cloud and will be getting into the support groups.  Maybe I just need a kick in the pants.  

Now, Sandy, I'm not telling you this to frighten you!  Please be sure to read how well others are doing and please hear me when I say I am grateful for the surgery.  I probably would have gained another 20 lbs over the holidays had I NOT had it.  I just know, for me, that a lapband would NOT have worked.  I'm happy that I did the RNY.  But I've been reading posts about the duodenal switch and am wondering if that wouldn't have been better for me.  That one seems to change the hormones even more so and helps control the "off switch" that we don't have.  I wish my surgeon would have talked to me about it as an option.  I suspect it was paid for by insurance so I probably wasn't even given the option.  That kinda ticks me off!

I would love to stay in touch.  I wished I'd had someone to talk to other than my sister.  My sister had hers done over 15 years ago and they are doing things so much more different now.  I did meet a bariatric buddy on a cruise I took (4 weeks after surgery) and she was awesome.  She helped me keep in check with all the different foods on the ship.   

I'll add you to my friends list as well.  Please, please keep in touch.  Let me know when surgery is.

If you find something in Fergus, would you let me know?  Its a little closer than St. Cloud.  St. Cloud seems to have a good program.  I'm not sure about the Glenwood group.....interested in that?

I have a neice who works at the hospital.  I'll have her snoop around and see if she can find the group mentioned below.

Take care of you.