the only way i'd go for the surgery option is if i was bed bound or my health was majorly at risk.
it's not the nicest of things to go through. i worked with someone who had it done. she's lost soooooooo much weight, but she's still really unhappy. i guess she saw her weight as the reason she wasn't happy and thought by taking such drastic action all her problems would be solved.
taz - gp's are frustrating aren't they? did you ask if you could get the tests done at the hospital instead?