Ditto...I felt the same way. I'm also self pay (Ontario Canada), kinda left not really knowing a whole lot, muddled through leaflets and an online site for their clinic, hoped I wasn't making any mistakes...that was 6 months ago. I pick and choose what I want to read on here and who I trust to give good info...there are quite a few who always give good advise, and some who just say the same old same old. I could've asked lots of questions and made phone calls to the clinic, they really are a great bunch, I figured I could figure it out myself..and I was fine with it all. It's really common sense. Don't know where my common sense was before my surgery, somehow I found it afterwards and of course the lapband sure has been great for me. Ive lost close to 50 lbs, feel great and am in constant contact with the clinic. You'll do fine, you'll be fine. You'll need a bit of patience and you'll need to be kind to yourself for a bit but you'll get through it. June 20th, my birthday, nothing ever goes wrong on my birthday! Take care and all the best...speedy recovery!