How to answer them?

Awesome, congrats!  I trained to sit with folks in hospice care and by the time I did that a couple of times I knew that the topic is not morbid but necessary.  It isn't dealing with your death, its dealing with the lives of loved ones after you die.  As a highly trained financial advisor I have seen terrible fights among families after the death of a parent(s).  And all not necessary, totally preventable!  There was a time when we never ventured there as lawyers had that patch of work all divided up for themselves but any financial advisor worth a damn can and should be reviewing your plans for your estate and before you die as well.  

Ian, I love your practical side!  Yes my will and PofA are all in place since last year, ready to go if needed (hope NOT!).

I wish you an uneventful surgery and a quick path to healing!  

I think the first words out of my Mom's mouth were something like "oh you don't want to do that" or "why would you want to do that" or something along those lines. I told her I had thought long & hard about it, I had done a lot of research, & that I had made my decision for my health, & that I wished for her support. Of course over time we discussed it more & more. I came to realize that her initial hesitation was due to all the horror stories & (publicized) failures. Once she realized the support system we have here in ON, the education involved, etc etc, she was on board & is an advocate, even recommending at least researching the procedure to a SMO lifelong friend of hers (who now wants to talk to me about my experience).
The best part was surgery day when Mom texted me & said: "welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. We're proud of you. Hugs & kisses love Mom & Dad.
I can only wish for you, that your family comes around like mine did! Stick to your guns, & let them know that you are doing this for your health & it is the best option for you.

I have to say after reading all of your responces... your conversations with your families makes me smile... they sound a lot like the conversation I had with my family when I was coming out of the closet... lol

In reality if you dont have the surgery than your life can be significantly shorter... Yes it is surgery and yes there are risks but the risk is like 3% of dying because of surgery but the risks of dying from weight related co-morbidities is significantly higher! 

You are going to do great and your family will enjoy the new more active you!  Show them that this is a great decision!

Actually Jenn the odds of dying in surgery are much less at closer to 1/2 %.  

To the original poster, I don't know if you have any comorbities, but if you don't its very likely that you will eventually like diabetes, high cholesterol, blood pressure etc., that certainly puts you at a higher risk of dying than surgery!

exactly!  Amen and all that jazz!  Heres to a happy, healthy, shopping in any store we want, successful future with WLS!

Totally!  

Yes, I already take medication for high blood pressure, can't tolerate the one for high cholesterol and have one terrible knee and back pain ( and missing my Advil!) so WLS is definitely important to my health.  Watched my dad pass away in 2010, he was living with me for a short time then, with Type 2 diabetes, heart issues, blocked leg veins, etc. .  I favour my dad's side of the family as my mom (they were divorced) is quiet a bit shorter and fitter than me even at 80! I definitely had that in my mind when I started this process.  

You might want to consider getting a VSG if you need Advil!