I had a gastric sleeve with Dr. Abando at B+A Medical Center in April 2023, and both he and his staff were excellent. I’m down 170 pounds and have been maintaining that loss for about a year, though I have about 30 pounds left to reach my goal. The first couple of months were challenging—not terrible, but frustrating when you crave comfort foods and are limited to protein shakes, bone broth, and cottage cheese. It takes time to adjust and find your new normal, but the period passes quicker than you expect. Now, my portions have stabilized. For example, I can eat a normal-sized single burger with a few fries, or a McDouble with a small fry, and be full. At a recent Italian restaurant visit, I ate one garlic knot, a Caesar side salad, and less than half of my chicken Marsala entrée. The biggest pitfall is snacking—it’s easy to graze throughout the day, which can add up quickly. Overall, I highly recommend Dr. Abando and the B+A Medical Center team.