Anyone In Minnesota?

[curlygirlz 0]

Hello - I joined this forum today becasue I am looking for feedback on your pre and post-op experiences with the sleeve in Minnesota.

Specifically -

How long have you struggled with your weight? What type of things have you done to lose weight?

When you were doing research for WLS, how did you decide what doctor/clinic to go with?

What has your overall experience been with WLS?

If you had to do it over again, would you?

Do you have BC/BS of MN and did you get them to cover the costs?

A little about me - I've been pudgy most of my life. By the time I was in junior high I was pretty big for my age, although also tall. I joined the swim team and got down to 165 lbs, with a lot of muscle. This stayed off until sophmore year at college when I switched school and ahd some other issues which helped me lead a more couch potato lifestyle. I'm now married and have 2 kids and need to be healthy for them. Not to mention I turned 41 today and at age 42 my father died of a heart attack.

Since I was 20 I've been between 200 - 315 lbs, depending on motivation, fad diets, etc. I've tried weight watchers, Jenny Craig, and all the usual programs, I've did Phen/Fen which worked great for me except for the pesky recall thing due to heart issues, I've done medifast - which again was great except after 4 months of a liquid diet I was sick of salad and shakes only - I wanted some fruit and a slice of bread now and then.

I've been researching WLS for a number of years and the people I know who had bypasses got really sick. Some ended up being fine and keeping the weight off but one is almost as heavy now as she used to be and the other never really got her hair back...and I love my hair.< /p>

The people I know who had the lap-band didn't see much weight loss and said they had lots of heartburn.

I know diet and excerise are key to any program but right now I want to see fast results to motivate me. 1 lb a week is just so depressing when you think about losing 125lbs.

So anyway, if you've gotten this far and are from Minnesota (or not!) and have some advice, I'd appreciate open and honest advice.

[thinathart 197]

Are you close to Winona? I'm on the other side of the river. I'm getting sleeved 10/30 through Marshfield Clinic-Dr. Pitchford. I attend support group meetings there the first thursday of each month. I've done most of the things you've listed, WW, Jenny Craig, HCG...all with some initial success, then ultimately regain, plus a few more. I turned 41 earlier this week. I'll let you know in a few weeks how it went, but so far...I'm super excited to start this new journey.