Mind if I ask you what class you are, and if you're struggling a bit? As I'm basically exactly where you are...
I'm a Jedi Knight Sentinel.
I left Tatooine at level 28, just shy of dinging 29. While there, all the early quests were easy enough. But I died like four times on that last Sith encounter (main boss), and again once while fighting the "Sand Demon". I was definitely having some problems, but I feel like I shouldn't be. I'm doing all the main solo quests on every planet, and skipping Heroics. I've done a couple flashpoints, but haven't messed with PvP. From what I've heard, that should be enough to make it. Which I did, but I'm afraid for when I hit Alderaan.
I just wish I had a healer. My companion is okay, I guess... but I'm basically relegated to a single Trauma Medpack per encounter, because of the 90s cooldown. Sometimes my HP just isn't enough.
I spent a small fortune at the AH, and upgraded from 4800HP to 5500HP on my character, so I hope that helps.