YOU'RE at the very best place in the world for learning about surgery outcomes. But don't expect your results to be identical. My "inspirational" advice is that I've been here for about 15 or 16 years and this group has been such a help to me. Search through the archives by topic for any answers you seek.
The other thing I think is that back when I had surgery, it's was a major surgery that left me with a 7" vertical scar. Thanks to laparoscopy, you might get a wee incision or two because the instruments have to get through to your organs, but many people here have gone back to work in a day or two, uncomfortable but not bedridden.
Wait til you see the weight start to melt off! And make sure you study nutrition, both at the federal government sites and among the postings here. Even though WLS is in its infancy on one hand, it's been perfecting every month. It's awesome, and really, the only think you really need to do is re-learn how to eat. You may need some emotional health from a therapist, but if you COMMIT to it, you will succeed.
Welcome, Tonja!