New and confused

I have thought about lap.gastro bypass for 3 years now, so now that i've made my decision I'm confused. i've had my Doctor consult, ekg, psych evaluation, and i sent my long list in for doctor supervised failed diets, so as you can see I think I've got everything done and turned in on my part, all I'm waiting for is ins approval. the problem is....after I went to the Doctor consult I was soooo sure and soooo excited on my decision, you know like making a decision that will change your life and never looking back, but since then I've had my 14 year old daughter ask me not to do this along with her friends. that really tugs at my heart. then I went to the memorials and read about the trouble people had and it's so very sad especially when these people died after 6 months to a year later! Some of these stories the people were doing very well and out of no where the worse happened! I guess what I'm looking for is the very positive side. How painful is recovery? What kind of long term problems could I have? How quick is recovery? What kind of everyday problems are there? I am in very good health so I'm expecting very little problems. But there is that chance! please HELP

Pam, Hi I am Carla Klein and my daughter was the same way at the age of 20. She didnt want me to do it. She was so mad that I did it. She yelled at the dr why did he do this to me!!!!! I just told her that I wasnt doing it for vanity to get skinny, I didit cause if I didnt get rid of this weight in a reasonable time I would be 6 ft under and in heaven. She told me that she didnt want me to do it becasue she was loosing her eating buddy. She she is very overweightherself and wont do the surgery. I am almost 5 years out and I have lost 140 pounds and am very happy. I did get the vanity and better health with it though. I am 10 pounds under my goal of 150. Just remember you have to go with what is in your heart and what is good for your health. your daughter will appreciate it in the long run. I know now mine does. Carla

Thank you Carla for your input, that helps a great deal....So you are 5 years out and no problems? My 14 year old is very slim and I think she wants mom to be "thick" (her words) my older daughter is very much for it.........but i also am having problems with my close friends one of them wouldn't even talk to me for a week after i told her about my decision. I am doing this for me and only me and i am soooo sick of people telling me how good I look now, but after they think about it then they tell me I will be gorgious after I loose the weight, not the reaction I'm looking for but thats what I get all the time. I need to do this because I will be happier and I haven't a clue about my medical history! I just want to make sure the decion is mine and not influenced by vanity.

Pam, My best friend was the same way. She didnt want me to do the surgery either. She thought I was going to die. Well, I didnt and now she is my best advocate. She is hating me right now cause she is heavier than me. I get her hand me down!!!! Go figure. You go with what is in your heart and is good for you. You wil do fine. Carla centennial Co soon to be Chicago for a while