My situation is probably a little unusual.

My brother had the surgery in '08, I went through it the following year and his wife decided to have it done about 6 months ago.

My brother and I had adult diabetes. Lab tests shortly after our surgeries showed that the diabetes was no longer a problem.

If there is any interest, I am happy to describe what life is like after this surgery.

Oh yes, you should share your story!! I am getting sleeved on Monday and have the whole metabolic syndrome thing going with high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low hdl, diabetes, fatty liver, etc. etc. I'd really love to hear how all this has wored out for all of you!

My situation is probably a little unusual.

My brother had the surgery in '08, I went through it the following year and his wife decided to have it done about 6 months ago.

My brother and I had adult diabetes. Lab tests shortly after our surgeries showed that the diabetes was no longer a problem.

If there is any interest, I am happy to describe what life is like after this surgery.

I've been diabetic for 8 years. I have decided to have the surgery and will be meeting the surgeon next week. I'd love to hear your story.

Here's the short story:

When I was my former heavy self, I developed a number of troubling issues.

I suffered from sleep apnea. My wife would sometimes shake me to make sure I was still breathing.

I would get 'flaky' and have to eat something right away to feel better.

And I was falling asleep all the time: driving, working, didn't matter.

I went and visited the doc, had some lab tests and was diagnosed with diabetes.

My brother had already gone through most of this same experience and subsequently had the surgery.

I consulted with his surgeon about the pros and cons and what really sold me was that he had just had the surgery himself

several weeks before my call. You could say that this was a highest level of credible advice coming from a physician.

Fast forward to after the surgery:

diabetes gone; sleep apnea gone; flaky attacks gone; falling asleep while I'm busy - gone;

My stomach (and appetite) used to be the center of my universe. Now food consumption is more like maintenance.

Food's OK - not the end all, be all.

I have many anecdotes I could share about the changes in me following the surgery, but I think I will close by saying

what others have probably already shared - no regrets.

Take care of yourself first or you won't be able to take care of the ones you care about.