I had sleeve surgery in September 2016. I lost 110 pounds and have managed to stay withing 5 pounds of that (both up and down... it's like my system has a set-point or something). I chose sleeve because even though you aren't targeted to lose quite as much, it doesn't mess around with your intestines the way the full bypass does. The thought of "dumping syndrome" gives me the willies! Anyhow... My full program included pre-surgical weight loss (10 pounds, so they see you can stick to a program), psych counseling, nutritional counseling. For 2 weeks before surgery I was on a full liquid diet, but I found that the syntrax brand of shake mix is pretty good- no funky heat-processed aftertaste or weird texture- and still drink one every morning to get a jump on my protein requirement. Post surgery the first two weeks were clear liquids, then 2 weeks of shakes, then on to soft foods and build up to a regular diet from there. I found I enjoy riding the exercise bike for an hour every morning (it's a "legal" excuse to sit and read, although I can't right now due to a knee injury) so the exercise portion wasn't too difficult. I can now eat about a cup of food at a time, maybe less, and although I can eat whatever I want, things like pasta, bread, rice, etc don't sit well. They just make me very full and it is pretty uncomfortable.
The hardest part for me was the mental aspect. This will change your whole relationship with food. I'll never again have that post-thanksgiving dinner feeling of overstuffed bliss, never be able to try all the dishes at a buffet, never gorge out on anything again. That's OK. I am so much happier and healthier than I have ever been in my adult life! However, it WAS an adjustment, and something I still have to be mindful of every single day. Mindful eating... pay attention to every bite, small bites, chew chew chew, no drinking while eating, only eat for 20 mins and then be done... is still my lifestyle, which I guess I didn't expect. I thought these were eating guidelines for post-surgery, but they are forever. It's OK. I can have a bit of rice, some of the edge of a slice of pizza (instead of a whole pizza), I have been to Boma several times post-surgery and did amazingly well so I CAN enjoy food holidays with my family. I just have to be selective, choosy, and attentive when I eat. I also had to learn that I'll never get a "bargain" when going out to dinner... except that one meal lasts through that dinner and a few lunches due to portion size and my small appetite!
I had some complications. My hair changed completely, going from being thick and incredibly wavy/fuzzy to thin and straight. This is a result of protein restriction and my age but it's OK. I have hair, I have learned to live with it. I also had a hiatal hernia about a year ago. That was a surgical repair and I thought that was more difficult than the bariatric surgery itself. I haven't experienced dumping syndrome but I also know that when my intestines say "it's time to go" there is no "holding on".. it's time to find a bathroom (sorry if TMI).
I'm not skinny, I'm still overweight (sigh... does anyone EVER lose their last 10 pounds on any diet, hahaha), but I'm not morbidly obese. I can do all kinds of things, like use the airplane seatbelt without extender, fit into a booth at a restaurant, reach the little lever on the floor of the car that opens the gas tank, buy clothes in a regular store. My blood pressure and blood sugar counts are amazing! I can get around the eating restrictions enough to enjoy my food and dining experiences. Overall, this surgery was the very best thing I've ever done for myself, and I wish I'd done it a decade or two sooner!