I've decided to get the surgery (YAY ME!), but during this whole researching and deciding process I've told no one I know (except my GP and shrink) that I was thinking about it. All my close friends are healthy normal weights and I'm not sure how they'd react or if they'd even understand. It's really difficult not being able to talk to my best friends about something so major in my life. How did other's deal with this?

Yea, I can totally understand. My sister well, has been kinda supportive infact she has started coming to get me after her 5mile walk so we could walk 1mile together. I guess what I am trying to say is I feel uncomfortable talking to people that do not understand my inablitity to control myself without being banded. You are fortunate you have more than one friend. I sugest the chat room on this site. It has been really helpful supportive and encouraging. Do they have support groups in your town? Those might be helpful too.