I think the mortality rate is 1 in 200, and yes I think sometimes if we stay big and overweight we become intravert and self conscious and they want us to stay that way not nastily but it suits them, because we look after them when we feel like that bout ourselves. I am 46 my husband is 53 my kids are 23 and 25, so it was my time to do something, i work full time, as do we all, and fro a long time now I have been the heaviset in our house hold I now am the lightest, but that is never mentioned, we are all on the large side. I couldn't see an al;ternative for me the only option i had left was surgery, so it had and hjas to keep on working. I have had to make sacrifices but its a good feeling to lose weight and they need to overcome their own insecurities. I was so excited when I got my date and the close rit got i kept giggling to myself but like you couldn't really say too much, my sisters came to see me the night before and asked how i was feeling as they were getting in their car, I told them I was so excited they thought i would be so nervous, mind you soo did I. I walked out of that hospital 4 days later elated and soo proud of myself, and I knew that hubbyu was proud too and that I have managed so well. He really helped me soo much when I came home he an dmy daughter made the first weeks meals, blended everything up sorted out what i was having etc, because those first few days takes some getting your head round. I never looked back went back to work 2 weeks later. xx