DS for my husband. I'm 7 years out.

Hi all.  I'm Amy.  I haven't been around here in a very long time.  I had the DS in December of 2005 and have had very good (but not the best) results.  I went from 285 lbs to 165 lbs and am now about 190.  I wouldn't change my decision for a minute.  I love my DS!  I had a lower body lift and arm lift in Brazil in 2008. 
I'm plannning to be back on the boards a good bit now because, after a year of fighting with the insurance company, my husband is getting the DS!  It took 5 appeals and the final appeal was external.  The dr who did the review determinted that the insurance had to cover it and it is medically necessary!  Praise God!  Well, since it's been 7 years since my surgery, I don't remember lots of things like what happens pre-op.  I didn't do a fast or liquid diet or anything like that until days before.  I believe his dr office said something about two weeks.  I don't remember early dietary restrictions or what life was like early after surgery. 
I'm a decent DSer but not the best.  I try to eat protein first and take my supplements.  I'm not great about either.  I do eat sugar and carbs but not in excess.  I have my labs done yearly.  I'm hoping that as we do this together (I didn't know my husband at the time of my surgery) it will catapult me into taking better care of myself as well. 
We just got the approval letter yesterday and have an appointment with Dr. Spaw in Nashville on Wednesday.  I guess then we'll find out what all the pre-op requirements are.  Hopefully we can schedule surgery for as soon as possible! 

There's a new site since you've had your DS that's chock full of information.  Go check out DSFacts.com

OOOOH... and one of my biggest questions: Looking at the website, it doesn't look like Dr. Spaw does the DS laparoscopically.  I had mine done hand assisted lap.  Does he do it or anyone else in the Tennessee area?  We've already been working with Dr. Spaw's office so I'd hate to go somewhere else now but we might consider it.

While I can't recommend the aftercare of my surgeon, Dr. Boyce, he is a good surgeon. It's just his aftercare sucks pondwater cause it's RNY based.

Anyway, he does the DS...but is not on the dsfacts web site. And he did mine lap not open.

Liz

I've heard that Dr. Spaw does the Ds laparoscopically now.  There's also Dr. Houston @ Centennial.  He's done some sleeves and RNYs using the robot, but I don't think he's done a DS with the DaVinci.

I saw Dr. Spaw for my 3 year this summer and he will do a lap DS if its possable. You picked a good one, Dr. Spaw is a real pro. Best of luck.

Good luck to your hubby.  It should be great to have a DS partner.