I've been looking at various wls options, and it seems to me the gastric sleeve procedure would be the one I'd choose if I could. It is a simpler procedure, fewer complications, and it seems that the long-term life quality issues are fewer. No dumping, no blockages, less concern about nutritional deficits, etc.

From what I gather, they've been doing this as the first stage in a two-stage process for super-obese people since the 80's, so the safety of the procedure and long-term comorbidity are well established. The initial data comparing it as a standalone procedure with gpb and lap band is so far very favorable. So the only holdup as far as I can see is they're waiting to see if the LONG TERM weight loss remains consistent, or whether people will stretch out their stomachs again and regain the weight. And even there, I think there are indications that this will not occur; first, the part of the stomach that is removed is the part that makes grehlin, the hunger hormone, so that should factor in, and second, the part of the stomach that remains is less stretchy than the part that's removed, so I'd think there's a limit how far it could stretch.

I guess the data goes up to 5 years now. I'm wondering how long it will take before the procedure is no longer classed as "experimental." Anybody have a good guess?

Nobody? Maybe I should've posted the question on the other forum?

Hey, there is a great site for info on the procedure you are talking about here, I have found the site awesome for info and chat with others who have been through the procedure.
I hope its ok to post this link...
Sleevers Support

Good Luck, I am sure you will find some useful info there!!

Here is a Myth that Jamie is scared of," a person who has no arms or legs to sail a thirty four foot sailboat from San Francisco to Hilo Hawaii(Pacific Transpac). Crew cosists of a bling skipper two quadraplegics, two paraplegics, one sailing seeing eye dog with Jamie as the passenger." Will Jamie arrive fifteen days later at the Hilo Hawaii yacht Club? Chicken bets being recieve at the South Beach Yacht Club. He turns chicken if he has to be extracted at sea.
Use the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors which is the across the bay.

I don't know the answer to the "experimental" question, but I just had the sleeve gastrectomy on 7/7 and, I've gotta tell you, I can only eat about 5 tablespoons of anything (approx 2 oz.) -- including broth -- at a sitting before being VERY full. For myself, I like the SG for all of the reasons you mentioned. According to my surgery team (Yale), the lap band doesn't have the kind of success rate of either the gb or gs, so it was never an option for me. All the people I PERSONALLY know who had the gastric bypass (and that's quite a few people, since I attend support group meetings) are extremely happy that they had the surgery. No regrets at all, and they all feel great. However, if I can lose the weight I need to, and keep it off, without re-routing my intestines, and without having to constantly avoid sugar for fear of dumping syndrome, and without the serious vitamin and mineral deficits secondary to the GB, the SG is the best of both worlds for me. But, I should mention that you can still suffer from blockages with the SG if you're not careful. Example: I take a lot of medications and I still have to either crush or break the pills into smaller pieces before taking them in order to avoid their becoming lodged. Also, I've heard that GB patients lose a lot of their appetite after the surgery. I must say that I do have an appetite as long as I'm not nauseous. But I'm NEVER hungry. Appetite, yes. Hunger, no. But I would like to speak with others who have had the GS and hear about their experiences.