I suppose everyone has a little different experience. I can only speak to my own. The consultation with the surgeon up front is extremely helpful. My surgeon explained to me all the different surgeries that are available and the ones she recommends and does along with the why for each. Based on your health records etc, he/she will want various tests done prior to any surgery to make sure all is well and that you are a good candidate for the bariatric surgery. You will also meet with various other experts that include a nutritionist, and exercise physiologist, internal medicine doctor, and a therapist. These are probably for sure. Others will depend on your specific situation. Over the coming months you will do a number of things as required and recommended by your surgeon as well as mentally preparing yourself for life after the surgery. By the time you have completed your 10 weeks of group therapy you will probably have completed all the other requirements and a potential surgery date will be set. In my case, my first meeting was in April and my surgery was in December. It was important for me during this preparation time to begin to imagine what life will be like afterwards. There will be times you might think that maybe you should not do this as it is a BIG step. This is probably natural. Thinking about what life will be like afterwards will help you visualize what you want to accomplish and these visions will get you through those moments of doubt. You just have to be patient and persistent during this period. For me, I was glad it was a slow process so I could mentally prepare myself. Finally the time comes. you will be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks prior to the surgery. While this may seem to be a difficult task, it is not easy, it is very doable. Take each day as it comes, do what you need to do, keep your eye on the prize. Then surgery! Now you are on the other side of the process. From that point on, it is keeping your eye on the prize, being persistent, following the program and doing what you need to do. It gets easier with time. I am now 6 months past surgery. Right now I can eat most anything put in front of me, that took about 2 months, but I cannot eat a lot of it and it cannot be too dry. Its ok though because eating a little bit and I am satisfied. I am now almost 70 lbs less than when I first started in April 2024 and 55 lbs or so less since surgery. Some people lose weight faster, but I am glad to take it a little slower because of the clothes issues. I have dug up clothes from a past self that I have not worn for nearly 15 to 20 years. I am just now slowly buying new clothes in sizes I have not worn for 25+ years. My hope is to keep going and losing another 25 to 30 lbs over the next year. That's my hope. All I can tell you is to hang in there, envision yourself a year from now, and keep your eye on the prize. Neither I, anyone we met during the therapy sessions, nor anyone I personally have met outside of the Mayo system have expressed any regrets. Then there is the reward; people notice and start making comments. I do not like personal attention, never have, but it still makes me feel good when people tell me I look good and ask me how I feel. But there is another ultimate reward for me. I no longer have to look at the weight capacity of a ladder, worry about fitting into a chair at someone's house or breaking that chair, I can move and do things I have not been able to do in years. It feels great. And, my stomach no longer sticks out, which was one of the first things to go. Good luck on the journey!!!!!