Hi,
your worries and concerns are completely normal. I was so worried about pain immediately after the op and about how I would be able to live without all my favourite foods. Well I didn't need to be! Of course everyone's experience is very individual and I have met quite a few people who have had bad complications and who knows I may still have some down the road. So this is something to keep in mind.
I am exactly 8 weeks out today, and my experience up to this point has been nothing short of a miracle and absolutely fantastic.
My hospital team kept me pain free at all times. I never had any real pain. More discomfort. Once at home I never needed to take painkillers and within a couple of weeks I felt almost normal, although tired due to lower energy levels.
I eat out a lot, this is a big part of my social life that I didn't really want to change. And I don't have to! There is always something on the menu that I can have, often from the starters selection, but I don't mind that. It's great to be able to still go out with friends, enjoy nice food KNOWING you're doing the right thing, instead of feeling guilty about the vast amounts of food you've just consumed (I used to feel that way).
I've only vomited once so far, and that was because I ate too fast and didn't chew enough. My pouch tells me off rather instantly and you learn to listen to it by eating very slowly. I now know when I'm full and stop eating when I'm supposed to. I don't think I could overeat anymore, as I feel quite uncomfortable around my pouch area when I hit the fullness feeling.
I don't feel different inside. In fact I often forget about my surgery altogether, but them remember when I have to eat or make a food choice
As for the benefits at 8 weeks down, there are many. MANY. The bestest thing for me so far is the control that I have around food. I never EVER had control around food. I felt more like an addict. A slave to food. I just could not stick to any healthy diet for any length of time, and the slightest 'slip up' would send me badly off track and it would take days to get back on track. Time during which I would generally undo the good work I'd done on my diet previously. It was a life of desperation, terrible guilt and self destruction that I wouldn't wish on anyone.
I'm not saying this all happens by itself. You have to follow the rules, listen to your body, make the right food choices, exercise, and of course put yourself through surgery. But it is all totally worth it!
Hugs xx