Terry- concerns are an operation is a big step for most people, your joints are suffering, how will they be in 2 years time and 5 years time will you be able to walk? I know thta I didn't want to and couldn't afford to keep putting on weight . I lost weight soo many times then put it back on and more, this had to stop I am now 46 but still enjoy my life but that wouldn't have been able to continue had I not had the operation. My friends and family were very scared for me but I was quite excited, I have asked for help sooo many times b ut was never really given any that was productive. It took me 21 months to get to the op, but i have not regretted having it done, my hubbys worst fear was that its permanent and I would be able to eat virtually nothing he knows now he was wrong and everyone has been soo supportive, there have been a few times where I asked myself what am I doing before the op and even what have i done after the op, but hey the good out weighs the lot have lost 8 stone since last summer,of which is 6stone since the op last August. My surgeon said if he thought i was in any doubt at all he would not do it, you need to do some soul searching and ask yourself if its really what you want, talk to your wife, my hubby wasn't very happy at the start but he came round and been sooo supportive you need people on your side to help you through, but you need to decide for definite if its for you or not. I hope you go with it you won't look back I promise you, even those who have problems don't regret the op, so read all the posts and talk to the wife xx