Hi there!!! Just a quick message from a loser who's also a neighbor. This journey is not easy, yet it's so wonderderful.....I became a loser one month ago today, I am feeling great and am down 33 lbs. It was a nerve racking decision and I know what you are going through. My parents were very concerned for me, but isn't that what parents do? I didn't tell anyone at work either ....but as the date came closer i was more comfortable in tellng my closest friends. I even made a general e-mail announcement...lol. Hang in there, just do your pre-op prep work and listen to your doctors...it will pay off big time in the long run. If you every need a shoulder to cry on or someone to lift you up....contact me. :) JC (bloomfield,NJ)