I had RNY. It had taken me 5 years of research into weight-loss surgeries to decide what procedure would work best for me and to get my nerve up enough to go for the consultation. It also took me that long to prepare mentally for it.
One of the things that has surprised, and saddened, me is the number of people that seem to think that their surgery was a "fat cure." It's not a cure, it's a tool. And like any tool, if not used right, not only will it not do the job, it could even harm you.
I made sure that I was mentally ready for the lifestyle changes I would have to make to be successful. If I were to give "words of wisdom" to anyone still pre-surgery, make sure you are ready to change...not what you look like, how you live!