So, this month I will be at 2.5 years post-op. I had a regular appointment with my PCP and since I've felt fatigued lately I thought my Iron or B12 values may be low, so we ran a full CBC, B12, Nutrition Panel and Thyroid panel. Except for my TSH being a little higher than it was last time, but still well within the normal range, every single other value is almost exactly at the middle of the normal range.

I am happy about this because, well, I've been quantitatively proven to be healthy, but also because I don't follow the diet plan of the sleeve at all, so I am happy that my body seems to compensate well for not always getting what it is in theory supposed to be getting. I go months of forgetting to take my B12 and iron, I never get the Protein I'm supposed to have everyday, and I eat a lot of crackers, minimal vegetables, no fruit, and pretty much only chicken from Chik Fil A in the form of grilled nuggets. So, thankfully, my values last year were also pretty much the same as this year, so I have had consistently good indicators that at least this far out from surgery for someone who doesn't really adhere to the nutritional suggestions, my 20% of a stomach has not contributed to harming my health. If anything, given that I started at 237, I hit goal of 129 last April, and in 15 days I will have maintained at goal, the sleeve has substantially improved upon my health, especially when my blood work values are also considered.

Glad you've figured out what works for you. The thing about WLS is that only YOU have to live the rest of your life. While I truly believe it is important to stick to your surgeon's and nutritionist's guidelines in the early months, while you are healing and adapting, eventually you have to find your own path that will let you live a happy and healthy life long term.