I am happy to see Idaho represented.  I had my surgery November 14 and have discovered that the real help and information comes from the Support Group and Cooking Class meetings.  I told my doctor  that pre surgery I was hot all of the time and since surgery I am cold alol of the time.  He said, "buy a sweater"....well sure I do have a sweater and a blanket as well as socks.  I applaud you for being down 116 pounds.  I am down 50.

As I checked my email this morning I was reminded that it's been 2 years since I had the surgery! Time certainly does fly especially since my husband and I are expecting the arrival of our first child at the end of April!!! My goal was 155lb and I made it down to 154. Throughout my pregnancy (30 weeks now) I have gained 15 lbs so I am doing very well! Anyone else on here have pregnancy stories after surgery? I would love to share the experience with someone!

Has anyone out there used Dr Valentine? I'm scheduled for a consult soon and would like some input from his patients.  Thanks

Hi Danielle!

I am from the Twin Falls, ID area. I had a consulation with Dr. Oakley about 8 years ago for my DS, but at that time he was very inexperienced, and I seemed to know a lot more about it than he did. So when I was 30, back in 2005, I traveled to Curitiba, Brazil, and had surgery with one of the top DS surgeons in the world, Dr. Marchesini. My surgery and recovery were very smooth, and my only post-op issue has been calcium absorption, which is very common. Since I changed my calcium regimen and upped my D3 to 125,000IU per day, my levels have been much better. My common channel is 65cm, my stomach was left at 5 oz.

However, about two years ago, my sister and cousin (then 32 and 27) went to Dr. Oakley and had their lap DS surgeries from him. He gained quite a bit of experience in that six year gap. However, I would still not rate him high, but he is at least adequate now.

My sister recovered spendidly; my cousin had some severe healing complications. He won't go less than 100cc common channel, which is what I think they both have. He also couldn't tell them how big their stomachs were -- he said he uses the boogey thing that they use for the rny, and then just cuts down instead. All I know is that at 3 months out they could eat more than I could when I was a year out. But, they have both lost most of their excess weight. They have both had severe iron issues (my sister has had to have several infusions) and kidney stones. However, they may also not be as religious with their vitamin supplements and protein levels as they should be, so this may contribute to those issues. 

I have a friend who had her surgery through him a few months after my sister and cousin. She is in her 60s. She got along with him very well, has had excellent follow-up care, and has done fairly well in her weight loss and supplementation.

Another friend, in her late 30s, had surgery with him about 10 months ago. She did great through surgery, has done great through weight loss, and has had no severe issues. She is very strict about taking her vits and minerals, though! However, when she didn't agree with his dietician in her post-op appointment, they cut her off and said she was not welcome back. So she has not actually seen Dr. Oakley since her surgery. She has used this board and gotten her own bloodwork done to keep track of herself and make sure she is healthy in her weight loss.

I'm just being fully honest with what I know of him. I found a much better choice, and went with it. However, if you're not willing to travel out of country, or far across country, Oakley is probably your best bet in this regional area. Just smile and nod and take what the dietician says with a grain of salt, as she gives advice based on RNY needs, and seems not to understand the difference. 

Feel free to visit my website (listed in my "signature"). Best of luck to you in your DS journey! 

PS ... Where in Montana are  you from? I lived in Hamilton for awhile, right after graduating college, back in 1998. Loved that area!

 Welcome to all of you who are coming to the Seattle event this coming Friday and Saturday. It has been my pleasure planning this event, and OH is very happy to have you!  While we are just days away, we wanted to list some old and NEW details.

·         All registered event attendees for 2011 who are checked in by our staff will receive an entry into our drawing for a FREE OH Cruise, sailing on March 12, 2012! Details to be posted on the Main Forum June 30^th, 2011.

• OH Member Services Staff is sponsoring a discount code! Enter OH4Seattle for the deepest discount yet! $39 to get in.  Or be sure to track down your local OH support group leader, bariatric blogger or participating physicians for their codes.  Each code has different discounts and benefits, as well as is a great way to show your support for that code owner. 
• We will have Free unlimited photobooth photos, sponsored by Dr. Alberto Aceves.  In addition, Dr. Ross McMahon and Swedish Medical Center is sponsoring our closing party, with a Member Fashion Show, Dance Party and Karaoke! 
• There will be Free plastic surgery consultations , courtesy of Dr. Alejandro Quiroz.

We have received notice of the following door prizes from Seattle Event participants:

·         Two Free bariatric surgery consultations, one Free varicose vein consultation, Puget Sound Surgical Center

·         Several signed copies of books by Chef Dave, Dr. Stapleton,  and Jean McMillan.

·         Two one year memberships to OAC, one Walk From Obesity cookbook

·         Two tickets for the 2012 WLSFA event in Las Vegas and one WLSFA logo necklace

·         One 30-day supply of Celebrate Vitamins, including multivitamin w/calcium & iron

·         Spa Gift Basket worth $100 from Franciscan Health System

·         Gift Basket from Virginia Mason Medical Center

·         Gift Basket from Wellesse Vitamins, Botanical Labs

·         Gift Basket from Pacific Nutrition and Wellness ,  and a complimentary workout counseling  session at their exhibit table

·         3 Packed Gift Bags from Swedish Medical, Dr. McMahon

·         1 box of Protein Shakes from Premier Nutrition

·         8 OH Logo Blanket Throws,  2-1 Year OH Magazine Subscriptions, Contigo Water Bottles, 1 grab bag of prizes

·         3 Day supply of MonaVie RVL – Nutrition Shake Mix for each of our three drawings