I had the sleeve 11 months ago and have lost over 100 lbs since. I had no comorbities but I did qualify by my weight. I have had zero complications and I recommend weight loss surgery to people who need to lose a lot of weight. Insurance companies will pay for it if you qualify, because the surgery is equivalent to two years of treating a diabetic patient (this is what one of our politicians who also had it found out from our insurance company). So if I were to become diabetic, two years of that would be equivalent to what the surgery costs (about 30k total plus the pre-qualifying appointments).
I had a coworker who had the sleeve and he was very successful. I started thinking if he can do it, anybody can. I thought about myself and my friends who are obese and how we constantly talked about losing weight, or did yo-you dieting and gained it back.
I know people who have gained it back from the bypass but not the sleeve. My surgeon has several nutritionists on staff, and they suggest seeing the nutritionists from time to time, especially if you gain a few pounds, to get back on track. They also have pre and post op support groups, which are helpful.
I would guess that the death rate is lower than 1 in 100, but whatever it may be, the people that die from the surgery probably had other complications, like diabetes or major heart issues.
As far as hanging skin goes, I don’t have any but I think even if I did, that would be a small price to pay compared to a lifetime of obesity and resulting diseases. Is it better to be blown up like a balloon, with diseases and joint problems, and die an early death, or thinner and healthier with some excess skin?