Men out there !!!

Your question seems to be centered around compliance.  If you don't think  you can follow a life style change plan then don't waste your time and effort.  That doesn't mean you won't succeed with some variations from some of the different plans talked about here but you really need to decide what you are willing to do to get the weight off, get healthy and be that way for the rest of your life.  I'm not talking about the normal departures from a solid plan, I'm talking about the fundamental changes.  Can you drop the crap food?  Can you live without the excesses you have built into your life already?  Can you make a contract with yourself to do all the right things.

Yes, you will occasionally have that piece of cheesecake (or what ever off- plan food you want to substitute) and do just fine but like the potato chip slogan goes...can you eat just (small) one?  You will be able to have a beer/pop or other beverages that are not best for you but should you?  Can you shift your brain from thinking you will have to suffer un-holy deprivation to embracing that great alternatives to eliminate those bad things/habits that got you fat?

Only you know how much time and effort you will put into getting it right.  

Happy New Year to You!
I had my VSG surgery on Feb 10th 2011. I've lost 170 Lbs and have just 10 or so to go to reach goal. I have to admit that I have been sort of treading water for nearly 2 months now not really trying to loose any more weight. I feel so good at my current weight of 238 Lbs that I'm in no hurry to drop to 225 Lbs (my original goal). I take no meds, use no CPAP, blood pressure is great, sugar is great, back and knee pain is gone, energy is very high, libido is very high, I feel fantastic. I lost my weight in just 7 months time sticking to a diet of 600-800 calories, 70 or more grams of protein, & 30-50 grams of carbs per day. About 2 months ago I went into maintenance mode and I increased my daily carb consumption to around 80-100. My calories increased to around 1000-1200 per day and I just look and feel very healthy. My only regret is that I waited so many years to have this done!
Take care... Craig

 Dude I'm 3 weeks out lost a total of 41 lbs so far and I haven't even started my exercise routine yet!! You have to be mentally strong. I don't know about anyone else I was out of control with my eating habits. Sleeve has added years to my life. Off my my blood pressure meds a week out of surgery. I miss the foods I was killing myself with but have no desire to eat them. It'll be worth it to get the sleeve. Just make sure it's what you want to do. 

Ron