I can only speak for myself. I had the sleeve April 13th 2011 so I am almost at my year anniversary. I have lost 107 lbs and have an additional 13 lbs to go. I have gone from a size 24 to a size 12 and my size 12s are beginning to get loose. My surgery has thus far been a great success.
I'm not sure what the 1 in 300 odds refers to. Success of the lap band? Or the sleeve? My bariatric team advised me to have the sleeve instead oh the bypass because I need to take NSAIDS for my arthritic knees. Then I wanted to have the band but the told me the success rate and patient satisfaction was low. So I decided on the sleeve.
I am happier than I have been in 30 years and that's no lie! I didn't even realize how much I had isolated myself from other people and social settings. Now I have energy, I can walk up and down stairs, I can get on the floor to romp around with my young grand sons, I can hike, bike, swim, Zumba, dance etc!!!
Concerning food, today, so far there isn't anything I can't eat or drink. In very small portions of course. But I am doing fine with the small portions. In fact they really make me appreciate how great food tastes!! Clarification. I can't drink beer. It's just too foamy but I don't really like beer that much. I can drink champagne, and wine, and mixed drinks but have to be careful. We can get intoxicated quickly. I can drink soda slowly, chew gum, eat bread and drink with a straw. I can eat sweets,
Even though I can eat bread I hardly do. Nor do I eat pastas. But granola on yogurt is great!
Part of my success had to be contributed to my husband. He has been very supportive and has chosen to eat healthier and loose weight too. We eat healthy together at home and when we dine out we share our entree. If we take enough time sometimes we have dessert. But most of the time we don't feel like eating more.
I may not be typical but this is my journey so far. I will never be fat again.