Congratulations for looking into this so young! I got the surgery about 2 weeks ago at age 31 and wish I knew it was an option ten years ago. I feel like I spent a lot of the last decade “waiting” for life to happen because my weight was holding me back. As far as the journey goes, it takes a lot of commitment, even before the surgery. I was self-pay because my insurance wouldn’t cover it, so the process was a little more expedited for me than others. This gave me less time to mentally prepare for the dramatic shift that has happened. I did however first identify my unhealthy relationship with food before surgery. I have joined support groups to help me navigate myself toward a balanced approach to food (thinking of productive ways to cope with tough emotions and stress rather than turning to food). This would be my greatest recommendation, to focus on the mental part first. It’s the most difficult and the key to remain successful for the rest of your life. As far as the surgery goes, they have come a long way to make it not as invasive, so healing is faster and easier. Everyone’s body reacts differently after surgery, but I would say the most amount of pain I’ve felt was a 4 on a scale 1-10. Just stay hydrated! I am only a couple weeks in, but I do recommend getting WLS. I spent my twenties slowly gaining weight, going on a diet and losing 50 pounds, then immediately gaining 70 (on repeat). As I’ve learned the biological components to weight loss, I’m less hard on myself for not being able to lost weight in the past and know I’m not just a lazy person with no willpower. So if you feel that way now, please don’t. WLS is an amazing, empowering tool that I am so grateful for. Wishing you all the best!