Owner of Gandy Gallery since 1997
Age: 50ish

This blog was actually started after I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. At about 42, I realized my health was beginning to suffer. I found myself becoming sleepy in the afternoons, and my energy level was definitely not what it used to be.

I did a lot of reading in my 30s about natural health and the importance of proper diet, and for about a year after reading Fit for Life, I followed a vegetarian diet. I felt great during that time of my life, but I found it difficult to maintain my weight, so I added meat back into my diet. Now, I try to limit my consumption of meat, especially red meat. I do not drink milk except very rarely in coffee.

After a sleep study at Piedmont Hospital January 2007, I was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Following 9 months of doctor appointments, diagnostic tests, and an unsuccessful bout with a CPAP machine (actually a BiPAP), I underwent surgery on my upper and lower jaw to correct the narrow airway, which collapsed and obstructed my breathing during sleep. My jaws were surgically broken and moved forward about 6mm. It was a 5-hour surgery with a long recovery, but the corrective effects were immediate. I no longer suffer from sleep apnea!

I searched the Internet for information about sleep apnea and corrective surgery and was most helped by several people, who kept blog accounts of their MMA surgery. It inspired me to do the same in hopes that my blog will be of help to you.

Best regards,
Richard Gandy