Hi, Ken!

I'm Wendy, and I had RNY with Dr. John Baker in LR.  If you're shopping LR docs, then either Gibbs or Baker is the way to go.  I hear nothing but excellent things about each, and I personally love Dr. Baker.  He's very knowledgeable and caring, and his surgical reputation is impeccable.  I've lost ~110 lbs since I had surgery in 2008 and I'm now pretty well at my ideal weight.  The first 3-4 months post-surgery were difficult - it's quite a learning curve - but I can honestly say that after that, it got better and better. 

Transfer addictions are a risk that surgical patients face; I think I transferred a lot of my dependence on food to exercise.  I started "running" almost exactly year ago... if you can call shuffling along for 15 seconds and then gasping for breath *running*, LOL.  I gradually built up my endurance and ran a half-marathon in October, woohoo!

As far as alcohol, I indulge in the occasional glass of something here and there.  I find hard liquor upsets my pouch, but I had ulcerative issues before surgery.  Beer has fizzies, and that's not good for us.  Wine is my go-to.  HOWEVER -- you will most likely find that your tolerance is markedly diminished.  ONE glass of wine will get me where three did prior to surgery.  If you find you must drink something (and all surgeons will tell you that you shouldn't), I'd stick with something very VERY watered down.  I know you've got to maintain your image, but you don't want to get too goofy, right?

I hope we get to meet you at a support group!  I used to post here much more often, but my day job got busier and life also intervened... good luck with your decision.  I'm so glad I had the surgery, I feel like a new person.