I just joined and my surgery is scheduled for 14, March, 2014 with Dr Clifford Deveney at OHSU here in Portland..

I am wondering what length of time for surgery, the complications you have had (I know it is never the same in different people), how long you were down before you were able to go back to the gym (have become a gym rat in the last few months to try and lose some weight before surgery)... And all the other fun stuff that you went through after surgery

My surgery took 90 minutes - mostly because my surgeon is extremely meticulous and he also repaired a hiatal hernia. Most people's surgeries go faster.

I have had no complications.

I was cleared for all forms of exercise at four weeks out. I hate gyms and don't set foot in them but I started on things like aerobics and weights at home then.

My surgery took about 60 minutes. I spent one night in the hospital because I use CPAP. The first two weeks went great, no issues. I was cleared to begin cardio at that time.

At two weeks out I develop blood clots which slowed me down for the next 3-4 weeks. Over the last 4 weeks I have begun exercise again focusing on cardio. I started at 5 minutes a day and now I am at 30-45 minutes of cardio, 5-6 days a week. In a couple weeks I will take advantage of a gym membership my son and daughter in law gave to me and will start sone work on strength exercises.