Is gastric-byp surgery really worth it? Please help weigh the pros and cons to advise a friend.?

I had gastric byp surgery in July 2000 and lost 158 pounds. I have kept it off even through two pregnancies. By the way, I could not get pregnant before the surgery and tried for 16 years. My surgeon said I could be his poster-child for this surgery. It reduces your stomach to the size of an egg (not an apple) and prevents you from eating. Don't get me wrong, you can stretch the stomach pouch back out but it is very painful and you will be sick in the process. It is a tool to weight-loss and you have to be willing to stick with it. Believe me, once you see the weight coming off and how much better you feel, it is worth it. I have never had so much energy. I am only 5 foot tall and before the surgery weighed 290 pounds (PICTURE THAT). I was huge. I lost more than half my weight. It is hard but worth it. You can have your friend email me directly if he/she has any questions. My email is tammycorley@dependmail.com