I have a $100, 40f Sleeve. Sunday I will be 3 years out. I maintain my weight through very careful daily food planning and tracking. I weigh myself and my food daily. I actually got to see my sleeve last summer in Mexico and that particular surgeon was horrified at how big my sleeve is. (I was with a friend who was getting sleeved in Mexico).

Ultimately, we get out of our sleeve what we put in. I travelled most of December, partook of holiday treats and put on a few pounds. I've had to work extremely hard to get back from 150 to 144. It was a wake up call about what my sleeve can hold and how fast the pounds will come on and how they fight to stay on.

Would I get a 40 again? Not a chance if I had any other option. in retrospect, had I known three years go what I know today, I probably would have used a skilled SF surgeon who makes a tight 32, even if it meant being self pay. I think that perhaps ultimately a 40 takes more effort than what I've seen from people with a 32.

Again, I think it's what we put into Sleevie tht really makes the difference. Good luck with your decision and your surgery! You can rock any size if you put your focus where it belongs!

You deserve to have the happiest life possible, and have always deserved it. I am so filled with joy that you are finding and holding on to your inner light.

Yes of course! I am on a business trip so I may not see it until tomorrow. I go th Kaiser Richmond, Dr. Baggs.

2" wide, not thick. Found it on amazon. 6 rolls for under $10.

I bet you'll run faster without the flappers!

It will definitely cooperate. Your first run without arms flapping s going to be freaking amazing!

I was not informed enough pre op. I was one of the first N. Ca. Kaiser Sleeves. If I knew then, what I know now. I would have gotten a Cirangle sleeve. However, that said, I love my Kaiser Bariatric surgeon and he's treated me exceptionally well.

2) I got 2" wide pape tape that covers well and needs little vertical strips to hold hem in place. The ace routine never occurred to me. Yes, all annoying. My surgeon said six months of annoyance for better results.

3). Washing in dish soap has strips cheer better than other soap because it isn't oily. I read that someone washed the strips when she showered, then put them back on. I've tried it, not convinced. I like that it's possible to shower in paper tape. I have armsm legs and breats to cover as well as LBL. Will be happy when the process is over!

WooHoo! Big congrats on 18 month, and the bike! Will you come north and get me running once we're both healed? Please? Help me prove that even old girls can learn new tricks!

Dear Ruggie, why don't silcone strips that are used post plastics actually adhere? Why are they always falling off in the most inappropriate places? Did that happen to you? What was your post plastics scar regimen?

Years ago when in OA, I used the dish soap method. Then 10 years go I bought a 10th floor condo. There's a trash room right next to my condo. So now when I have a food in the house that calls me, down the shoot it goes. I've never investigated where it ends up but I knw it's 10 floors down.

I bought a big bag of pistachio's at Costco. I allowed myself one ounce as part of my plan for a little while in maintenance. Same time everyday. Then I realized I was waiting like a pup for that time to arrive. I put them way, behind things, in a container etc. I was going to not have them. Next day, on my hands and knees retrieving the $15 bag. Realized they better go down the shoot because I spent my day waiting for the freaking ounce of nuts.

I've spent way more than $15 to try to lose a pound. So not worth eating something tht causes me anxiety. After several months I got another bag. I've eaten them once or twice and forget they're in the house. I could care less about them. My reaction to different foods seems to really depend on whether I'm eating for nutrition, or wanting it to take care of me in some other way.

Happy Surgiversary rock star!