Hi Kat,
I had mine privately at Kings in London. It was a huge deal to go that far as the implications if there were any complications etc. My surgeon told me that if I had any pain, I had to get myself to Kings A&E rather than go local. As it is, due to the tumour that was found on my liver, I have had to go back a couple of times so far.
Also, the 4 hr journey home was a trial. I was lucky in that my friends hubby drove all the way to collect me as my hubby had to stay with the children. It was painful though.
As for my sleeve - I flipping love it. The same as Karina, my start weight was low in obesity terms, (but my BMI has been as high as 43 previously, so I have a history).
I honestly feel as if 3 months out I can eat most of the things I ate before. I don't eat rice, pasta, bread, or potatoes. (I have the occasional baked sweet potato but that's it) . My excess alcohol intake has reduced to probably 7 units per week (I had well over 35 before) My whole family is eating healthier foods (although they're all normal BMI's) My weight loss is fairly slow, but actually I'm really ok with that.
Where are you thinking of having your op? I think Taunton do ops!