Back on this site after no being on it in a year or two. It will be 7 years this Nov since my sleeve. Was well over 300 pounds, got down to 220s or so after my sleeve, back to up 260s after being undisciplined for a year or two and now back to around upper 240s. Sleeve helps, but isn't a free pass. Still have to be sensible. Hope to start being active here some again.

Hope everyone is doing well with their sleeve and if in the sleeve considering stage, I'd advise to be informed and know that it will take work..but worth it in most cases....it sure was/is for me!

Welcome back! I'm sure it's not easy, but good for you for coming back. You can do this!

thank you, we see so little info from years out.

I’m back after a long time away as well. We’re both had our sleeve done around the same time. I know you’ve got the determination to get where you want to be. I’ve managed to maintain my 265 to 155 weight loss. Seven years out, I guess that makes us success stories!

Excellent and good to hear from you again stranger!

@aroundhky& @7carol3Have you guys had any major complications? How would you deem your experience so far? I mean issues that some articles talk about regarding GERD, or hair fall, vitamin deficiencies, things you can't tolerate? Have you guys noticed an increase in food? Can you give an example of a portion of food you were able to eat 1st year to now 7th year? Any other relevant thing would be appreciated

10 hours ago, AchieveGoals said:

@aroundhky& @7carol3Have you guys had any major complications? How would you deem your experience so far? I mean issues that some articles talk about regarding GERD, or hair fall, Vitamin deficiencies, things you can't tolerate? Have you guys noticed an increase in food? Can you give an example of a portion of food you were able to eat 1st year to now 7th year? Any other relevant thing would be appreciated

Achieve..... I've had no unexpected complications. The only issues I've had are the typical ones where I learned the hard, despite knowing before surgery. Such as not chewing slow enough. Early after my sleeve, I often fell into old habits....eating big bites and not chewing enough. I tried some carbonated drinks a few times and even though I just sipped them....I still had a stomach that did not like that. In regards to the ones you've mentioned, I've not had issues with them....of course I was bald well before I had surgery, but I have heard of some people having hair loss...especially the ladies.

I was able to eat bigger portions after a year or two and that did plateau for me and I'm eating about the same size portions now as I did two years post op. From year 2 post up until now... I'd say I can eat a whole medium sized chicken breast with a half cup of broccoli. That's now a typical portion size for me, but the first two years were maybe half that size. I'm timing my meals better now, not eating after about 7:30 at night and eating better foods than I was around 4-5 years post op.

The only other thing I would say is we still have to do the work, be aware of how to eat well, be mindful of the rules/guidelines we're given pre op, but the sleeve does still help several years post op. It's a tool, it's up to us to utilize it and maximize it for our benefit. Just my 2 cents......

14 hours ago, AchieveGoals said:

@aroundhky& @7carol3Have you guys had any major complications? How would you deem your experience so far? I mean issues that some articles talk about regarding GERD, or hair fall, Vitamin deficiencies, things you can't tolerate? Have you guys noticed an increase in food? Can you give an example of a portion of food you were able to eat 1st year to now 7th year? Any other relevant thing would be appreciated

3 hours ago, aroundhky said:

Achieve..... I've had no unexpected complications. The only issues I've had are the typical ones where I learned the hard, despite knowing before surgery. Such as not chewing slow enough. Early after my sleeve, I often fell into old habits....eating big bites and not chewing enough. I tried some carbonated drinks a few times and even though I just sipped them....I still had a stomach that did not like that. In regards to the ones you've mentioned, I've not had issues with them....of course I was bald well before I had surgery, but I have heard of some people having hair loss...especially the ladies.

I was able to eat bigger portions after a year or two and that did plateau for me and I'm eating about the same size portions now as I did two years post op. From year 2 post up until now... I'd say I can eat a whole medium sized chicken breast with a half cup of broccoli. That's now a typical portion size for me, but the first two years were maybe half that size. I'm timing my meals better now, not eating after about 7:30 at night and eating better foods than I was around 4-5 years post op.

The only other thing I would say is we still have to do the work, be aware of how to eat well, be mindful of the rules/guidelines we're given pre op, but the sleeve does still help several years post op. It's a tool, it's up to us to utilize it and maximize it for our benefit. Just my 2 cents......

I too had little to no complications after my surgery. I have lost hair over the years, but I am a picky protein eater. I refuse any kind of protein shake on the market, so my bad. I was NEVER close to being bald, nor did I have bald spots. I have very curly hair and no one ever noticed that I lost any hair. At the beginning of my journey I could only manage to eat 1/3 of a container of Greek yogurt in one sitting for breakfast. I now have no problem eating the whole container and sometimes I have a handful ( 1/4 cup ) of high protein granola mixed in. For me, portion size depends entirely on what I am eating. I can eat a ton of cucumbers or lettuce and spinach. But I still can't eat an entire crabcake. I couldn't finish an entire filet mignon even if that was the only thing I was trying to eat. If I'm trying to eat only protein, I can't pack in too much in one sitting. Maybe the size of the palm of my hand. Half of that if I am eating veggies too.

I can definitely eat a lot more now and agree with @aroundhky that the sleeve is a tool that needs to be used properly or your results can be reversed. It takes work to maintain the weight loss. You have to put in the time and effort. I can drink soda, but I get a terrible stitch in my right side (always my right side) and it doubles me over in pain so it TOTALLY isn't worth it!! I stick with water. I do like to drink Bai coconut water for a change up. I'm not a coffee drinker but I like tea and I do drink that.

I have had low iron and low vitamin D but I fought those battles when I weighed 265 pounds so I don't feel that is a complication. I am a bit of a hermit and I don't like milk so there is my Vitamin D problem. I have a thyroid condition which makes battle with iron. I take a prescription for GERD every night, but I did that at 265 as well. I have acid reflux if I eat or drink anything other than water too close to bedtime. Again, my bad! Even at 7 years out I still do things wrong, we are human.

I am very proud of the fact that I have never overeaten to the point of vomiting. I think it is important to know your sleeve and how it feels. Eat slowly and stop just shy of feeling full because sometimes full hits you quickly, depending on what you are eating. Watermelon almost always gets me, funny enough. There isn't really anything I can't tolerate but food in general just isn't as appealing to me anymore. I don't love dill pickles like I used to. I can't stand to smell eggs cooking. Eating a hard-boiled egg is hard for me because it is so dry, I have to put hot sauce on it, if I eat one that is. I usually just put them in salad. I eat a lot more avocado and Greek yogurt now than I used to. Anything else I can bore you with...just let me know...I'm here to help!

As some one who has just found this thread and getting ready to move forward this is all great information that you are sharing! thanks

16 minutes ago, paddyski said:

As some one who has just found this thread and getting ready to move forward this is all great information that you are sharing! thanks

Wish you the best... you got this!