Hey Marlene,
Congrats on making the decision to do something for yourself - you definitely have the right attitude with regards learning to eat for your body and not comfort eating etc.
LL is Lighter Life (abstinence, loss approx 1 st per month)
LLL is Lighter Life Lite (1 meal a day, loss approx 7lb to 1 st a month from what I've read).
Whilst I would say LLL is good for those with *less* weight to lose, my personal experience is that LL is easier with less temptation. When I know I can eat one meal I will talk myself into eating the wrong things or the wrong portions.
When I am in abstinence on LL I know all food is cheating and have a different kind of mindset. It's really about deciding what approach would suit you best, and your consellor will help with that at your information session.
With regards excess skin etc it's really just something to keep in mind when on the programme and moisturise regularly, do some toning exercises and then you are limiting the effects. Some peoples skin springs back magically as they lose, others doesn't - we're all different. Having said that, most people look so fabulous dressed having lost the weight, and it's an individual thing whether what you look like naked or in swimwear is enough an issue to you to make you want surgery.
Some people have successfully been able to have surgery on the NHS, but typically its a postcode lottery and down to having a sympathetic doctor. I'd think that there is a clear argument in that slim and healthy people cost the NHS less than fat, unhealthy people, and so the surgery could be easily justified. I really wouldn't worry about it now though - it shouldn't affect your decision to do this for yourself or not.
Anyways, welcome to the forum and good luck with whichever LL route you go for!
Isie