Here's the short story:
When I was my former heavy self, I developed a number of troubling issues.
I suffered from sleep apnea. My wife would sometimes shake me to make sure I was still breathing.
I would get 'flaky' and have to eat something right away to feel better.
And I was falling asleep all the time: driving, working, didn't matter.
I went and visited the doc, had some lab tests and was diagnosed with diabetes.
My brother had already gone through most of this same experience and subsequently had the surgery.
I consulted with his surgeon about the pros and cons and what really sold me was that he had just had the surgery himself
several weeks before my call. You could say that this was a highest level of credible advice coming from a physician.
Fast forward to after the surgery:
diabetes gone; sleep apnea gone; flaky attacks gone; falling asleep while I'm busy - gone;
My stomach (and appetite) used to be the center of my universe. Now food consumption is more like maintenance.
Food's OK - not the end all, be all.
I have many anecdotes I could share about the changes in me following the surgery, but I think I will close by saying
what others have probably already shared - no regrets.
Take care of yourself first or you won't be able to take care of the ones you care about.