Ed_NW, that is a very good way to look at it. If I am being honest with myself, I have always had a hard time managing my weight and using just will power alone. I know its not easy either way you slice it. Strangely enough, I eat when i'm happy or bored. When I am stressed out, the thought of eating turns my stomach and I have to usually force myself to eat.
My biggest fear with the weight I am carrying is the health problems that are getting worse in my case (sleep apnea, acid reflux, lack of energy, and joint pain/snaps). My concern with moving forward with WLS is how drastic of a change is it going to be long term. Like would I be able to have things like ice cream or other things like that (in moderation of course) with my family or would I be on a special diet the rest of my life? Hell maybe if I got to my goal weight, I wouldn't even want to touch that stuff!