I hear you about doing it all over again... Two colleagues that I work closely with both had this surgery and they both are on their way back up with their weight. They are both around 5 years out. That scares the crap out of me. Neither of them are a part of any support group and neither of them go to the doctor regularly. I think those are both important!
What you wrote about 12-18 months... I need to keep reminding myself that this is not going to happen over night. I agree with you too about being happy. I was SO miserable before surgery. Things have changed a lot already!
Hope you have a nice weekend... It was a BUSY/LONG week... I am very ready for some down time with my family

Take care!