BZButterfly79

Thanks I enjoyed reading this article very honest and fresh.

Thank you all for being so sisterly to me, things are getting better mostly my energy level but if I had to use a scale of 1-10 I would say I feel like a 6 , intestines seem to be full operational, I feel like a baby(getting burped:)-This is been truly the greatest support group in THE WORLD to me.

I can tell you that being barely 5 days out I know what you mean for me my entire face begins to feel warm, I look like I caked on blush and it is a very weird feeling, I wonder if that's the fat melting off my face? LOL

I have been wanting to write since Thursday but I physically could not, today is the first day I have sat at the computer and I have missed all of you. I went in for surgery Wednesday morning at 11:30 got knocked out pretty quickly and woke up to a lot of pain, Morphine had me throwing up the entire night about 5x all together the nurse was very nervous since she said the last thing she wanted was for me to throw up but there was no other way it was a miserable night, until the doctor prescribed Darvacet and that made me feel a lot better. I left the hospital the next evening after the doctor said my sleeve was strong and without leaks etc. I got home with liquid pain killers and phenergan also liquid which were the only things that seemed to work for me. As far as protein and water and this and that? I simply couldn't I got a little broth in and felt like I was gonna throw up, I opened my fridge and smelled garlic for some reason and felt like throwing up...then the gas...thanks to all of you who advised me to buy a gas pill because for some reason that's what is causing most of my discomfort right now, I remember Tiff saying that she has these little burps well I am burping all the time it is a bit strange for me I have to admit. I was able to use the restroom for the first time for #2 yesterday which was 4 days post op. I also got my period yesterday...the scale has moved but it all must be the water weight because I am peeing but not drinking as I should. I am praying with time things will heal and I can at least eat something I got all these Isopures but have a hard time drinking them. My husband has helped with the kids which has been very important as I have been able to focus on getting better. I will post pictures and such soon of incisions and things like that if anyone cares to see but if there is anything you can share with me I really need the support right now to keep going, love you all.

I have a bottle of GNC multi which are these big green horse pills, I bought a pill crusher and split them in half for AM and PM same thing with Calcium Citrate I split it, I thought it might be easier going down, I know a lot of you use chewables like Flintstones is there a particular reason? I wanted to use these pills and not waste the money so I am hoping that they can get in somehow. I am getting sleeved tomorrow, I have the protein on board and little 3oz cups so I can measure things out. If you can share with me your jagged little pill experiences and also if you can think of anything else I would truly appreciate it. I have not yet purchased the B12 sublingual, GNC was out(can you believe it!!).

You know the reason people judge others is that it takes the focus away from themselves, usually their ugly self on the inside.

Oh boy, I have to be honest with you I would stay away from any of those if they worked none of us would have gotten sleeved or be in the process. I have a huge problem with weight loss pharmaceuticals are the prey on woman's low self esteem and fear. I don't know your situation on whether you have been sleeved yet or not but if you have you need to trust yourself and the decision you made. I have tried everything including foreign substances that claim to tell your brain that you are full and all I got from it was tachycardia, save your heart, your liver and your kidneys. Seriously.

There are facilities doing the sleeve, that's where I am getting mine done on the 15th, I was very concerned about doing it in a military facility but the hospitals in the local area have much worse reputation where I live except for one who ranks top 5% in the country. I know that surgeons in the military are usually young and are getting their hands on experience with "us". But one thing I have learned in my life is to trust and to ask when in doubt, I also believe that military surgical teams are meticulous as is the nature of being held to robotic expectations such as in the military so I will let you know how it goes for me. But I will say one of the most important people is the anesthesia team:) so you might want to ask about them, they have a lot more power than the surgeon over your life during surgery it takes <5 seconds to make a fatal mistake. The lapband is a complete turn off for me and so is the gastric bypass(too many reasons to list) I see the sleeve as me getting a child like stomach that allows me to stop. Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

Sorry about the gray but then I'd rather than none...you know what Tiff said about stick straight...I have that but I have not had the sleeve it started when I began taking Biotin it looks like a chia pet or something but I am not going to complain, surgery now on the 15th so I will leave the complaints to 4 months post-op-LOL

Feet, who likes to talk about that but it has been on my mind(not in any weird kind of way). Here is why, before I ballooned to "error" on the scale I used to wear a 8.5-9 US size(by the way I am 5'9). Then I had my children and you know the rest...but I currently wear a 11!! My post is asking you to share whether you feet have stayed the same, have gotten smaller in some way(by the way I also buy WIDE-like a semi-truck). Between you and me, one of the things I miss the most is finding and wearing cute shoes. Would you care to share your foot story pre-op versus post-op:) Thank you so much, my surgery date is now Dec. 15th. Thank you.

Oh...this video really made my day! I understand her 200%! I wanted to share. "The damage I was doing with the food was much worse than having half my stomach removed!" "You have to be your strongest support system!" "You have to be your #1 fan!" http://www.youtube.com/user/Kellawanda#p/u/4/YRS_h3m3YoQ

This question might sound unimportant but being a mother of three and having a husband who travels a lot I can't help but wonder if it is safe for me to drive right after surgery, I know I drove very soon after my C-section maybe like 2-3 days but that's I think a bit more prone to reaping due to the stress on the lower abs. And last I wanted to find out what does the doc usually say regarding the sex quarantine? Is it safe to not adhere? What was your experience and what do you think? Thanks!!!

This is the first time I read about this, have any of you experienced this? Thanks First Stage of Post Op HIBERNATION SYNDROME After WLS, you may be feeling tired and become depressed. When you are several weeks post op, and are either on a liquid diet or you are eating many fewer calories than you were pre op, this depression and inactivity can become more pronounced. All you want to do is sleep, you may have crying spells, you may begin to believe that the surgery was a mistake, or you may think 'what in the world have I done to myself? All these feelings are completely normal and, to a certain extent, are to be expected. The low number of calories you are eating produces what many of us call the 'hibernation syndrome' and your depression and feelings of despair,are a direct result. During the weeks immediately following surgery, our body starts to notice that we are not taking in enough calories. It doesn't know we've had WLS, or that it's the year 2000. Our body is missing food, thinks this is a famine, and struggles to conserve our energy. The human body reacts like it always has in a famine; it makes us depressed--so we don't have the motivation to do anything, and it makes us tired--so we don't have the energy to do anything. In this way, we will conserve as many calories as possible and remain alive. You can see the practical value of this as our bodies have been living through famines, snowstorms, and other periods of unstable food supply for centuries. This stage can last several weeks. Our discomfort is compounded as we are, at this same time, trying to recover from major surgery, adopt new eating habits, and deal with a liquid or soft diet. To get out of this stage, our body has to say to itself 'gee, this famine is lasting a bit too long. If I keep conserving my energy with inactivity, I will starve to death. I'd better use my last store of energy (the remaining fat and muscles in our body) to hunt up some food'. At this point, our body will switch from getting energy from food, to getting energy from our fat (and muscle too if we don't eat enough Protein) and that is what we want. In order to deal with this difficult transition period, tell yourself that you're right on track; this is exactly what is normal and to be expected. Tell yourself that, in a few weeks, this will pass, and you will feel like a completely new person. We all seem to turn the corner about 4-6 weeks post op. Then, your mood will lighten and, with your weight loss starting to add up, you'll feel more positive and have a better outlook on life. Just keep telling yourself that you will not always feel this way! You WILL be back to feeling like your old self. Just give it time!

I just read this great article written by Bruce Underwood(WLS brother) in his website. I will post the link below the article so you can explore. Obesity and its Affects on Relationships and Acceptance Obese individuals have multiple and varying insecurities related to their obesity. These may differ depending on the when obesity became an issue, affected their life most, and length of time. Age, rewarding experiences, negative experiences, and humiliations also play major roles on how each person sees themselves and their self confidence. Parental, sibling, friendship, spousal relationships, and other relationships affect an individual prior to and following weight loss surgery. I have not always been obese and have had lived periods of my life with several different areas of acceptance with varying degrees of confidence. These areas include intellectual acceptance, physical acceptance, sexual acceptance, peer acceptance, acceptance of friends, spousal or mate acceptance, and audience acceptance. Each of these areas is affected by an individual’s self confidence and ability to present himself in a positive way. However, acceptance and experience also affect an individual’s confidence level in each of these areas. The more success and acceptance in a particular area, the more confidence an individual has. However, more rejection reduces self confidence, which further reduces acceptance. This circular syndrome becomes exponential in its effect on an individual. Obesity plays a major role in producing this syndrome as prejudice and stereotyping are projected on obese individuals. Individuals that have been obese all of their lives may have few or no successes in a number of areas of acceptance and may tend to naturally gravitate to other areas where they achieve success and acceptance. The fewer the areas of acceptance the lower the self esteem that a person may have. However, the person who has been obese all of their life, probably does not suffer grief from the loss of acceptance areas as some areas have never been explored. For individuals that become obese later in life, grief from the loss in specific area of acceptance is normal. Having experienced varying levels of success in an area of acceptance, the obese individual may long for those areas and may actually suffer greater depression because of the rejection that they now face in those areas. An example of this may be that of a person who once experienced acceptance in physical beauty and was rewarded highly for their beauty. Now obese, she finds herself longing for the physical and emotional acceptance, but receives rejection. This rejection leads to anger, depression and in cases self loathing. Initially there is denial and then anger. Often diet and exercise only exacerbates the problem as dieting attempts fail. Moments of success followed by diet failures drive down the self esteem and cause greater depression. Friends, peers, relatives, and those who once were flirtatious now look around, through or away and she feels much less the person than she once was. The people around her now become part of the problem as they now become the reminder of what she once was. Additionally, family, friends, and others may add to the problem by acting as the food or diet police with the individual. Often judgmental remarks and comments thought to be helpful actually make the person feel less acceptance and further rejected as an equal or peer. The family member, friend or person making the comment is perceived as being on a different level physically and perhaps intellectually. This perception may be with both parties involved or just by one of the parties; obese or other. The person may react over time in several ways: Things related to beauty may not even be attempted as they are reminders of the pain. Photographs and pictures are avoided as it is easier to live with self image from the past. New photographs are only reminders of the failure and are foreign missals that destroy the image within the mind. In addition, the more positive self image from the past actually helps to promote self confidence in other areas of acceptance such as audience and individual acceptance. The person tends to gravitate to areas that make people like them. These may take the form of humor, knowledge, and expertise. Physical activity becomes more difficult as obesity becomes more profound. Areas that require physical activity and physical fit begin to be avoided. Games, amusement parks, dance, taking car or airplane trips, hiking, theaters, etc. are avoided. The individual may begin to live vicariously through their children, family, friends, and peers. This too may become difficult as these people may resent the now “hanger on”. Surgery and Diet makes a difference – WLS and Diet - Stages of Difference, Awareness and Acceptance: 1) Self Notice – You notice a difference in yourself. As you begin to lose weight, you begin to notice the change. You feel physically different and you notice changes in your face and shoulders. You wonder if and when other people are going to say something. 2) Something’s Different – Others begin to notice a difference, but they are not sure what it is. I like your new hair style. Did you color your hair?. Did you use to have a beard? I thought you wore glasses? A few truly observant folks may say... You’ve lost weight... haven’t you? Usually still as a question. 3) Physical Change - Your clothes are baggy and you need a wardrobe change. You feel better and look better. A lot of people realize you are losing weight and say you look great. You and your friends are proud of the results. 4) Significant Difference - There is a significant difference in you appearance and everybody can see it even if it is not spoken. You know it and they know it. You feel better about yourself and have much greater energy and anticipation. You may or may not notice that people are beginning to treat you differently. You like the compliments and the positive feedback. You look great! Wow! What a difference! You are going to just blow away! You begin to think, wow I am looking better. You may find yourself getting out more and taking more chances. Spreading your wings and taking little flights of freedom to see how things work now. Self Confidence increases and you begin looking at the world a little differently. Excitement seems to be ever present. You may find that fear of failure is also increased at this point as you may not fully trust the results of success. Plateaus and periods of static weight loss may cause greater concern. Moods may seem to swing. 5) Identity Crisis – At this point you are very different physically. Your friends, family, and folks you don’t know react differently to you. You may find that the opposite sex respond flirtatiously and jokingly to you. Family, friends, peers, and co-worker relationships seem to change. Some relationships are better, but some are strained. You want more and expect more from others and yourself. You are excited about your new body and look, but may be angered and frustrated by differences in existing relationships. Leveling occurs as people feel threatened by your new look. People may put you down in areas and /or build themselves up as they want to “level” the playing field with you. You probably don’t know exactly where you fit in physically in the world anymore. You may have an exaggerated opinion or an under-exaggerated opinion of where people see your physical attractiveness. “I must look fantastic, because I am getting all this attention and everybody is telling me how good I look”. Or, “I am still fat and people are just saying that I look good to be nice” “He can’t be attracted to me”. This is also a time that poses serious threats to marital relationships. The spouse may feel threatened by the vast changes in your appearance and attractiveness. In addition, the self confidence, energy level, and desire to explore may also pose threats to status quo that once existed in your relationship. Often an obese person has not been happy in a relationship, but has lacked the self confidence and desire to make a change. New energy, attractiveness, self confidence, a desire for improvement, and the inability to discern at what level one fits in socially, may promote a relationship change or a desire to “Upgrade”. This is a time for introspection. Explore your feelings and desires. If you feel angry and frustrated, where are those feeling coming from? Who are those feelings directed towards and why? Seek out people who are honest with you and ask their opinion, but be prepared for their honest criticisms. Validate their criticisms with others that you trust. Be careful to not make rash judgments and changes, but proceed cautiously. It is a time of change, exploration, and hope as you desire to get your life back. There are those people that want to keep you confined. There are those who want to help. There are those who just want to use your energy. There are those that love you regardless of the changes. 6) Self Acknowledgement - This is a time where you begin to see where you fit in to the world as friends, family, peers, and co-workers begin to accept your appearance and changes. You may feel hurt and disappointed at times as the complements and ego boosting flattery begin to dissipate. You may once again feel threatened by the lack of weight loss and the fear of failure as some weight gain may occur. The highs and are not so high, but the lows may tend to make you depressed at times. You still feel good, but may feel less attractive as you receive fewer compliments. Some people that fed off your energy, desire, and newness no longer are as flirtatious and even strangers appear not to pay you as much attention. Life begins to level out and you begin appear “Normal”. 7) Self Acceptance and Self Awareness – At this stage, obesity is of little or no concern to you. You are aware of your size and acceptance of others. You know where you fit in. Some of your insecurities are still there, some have fallen by the wayside, but may have changed. Life has settled down and the normal problems and happiness of life make you aware of your existence. Hopefully, you have grown more beautiful, more emotionally sound, more mentally aware, more spiritually connected, and more wise. Hopefully, the journey has made you more of a person and less of a ghost. The pains that obesity brought you have made you a more empathetic and sympathetic and less judgmental. Understanding and the weathering of your own insecurities have made you strong and compassionate and you now see with clarity the reasons behind your lack of self confidence and you strive to help others to see the beauty that is within each of us. Misconceptions and Naiveté of Sexual Attractiveness - Sex Exploration Obese people often have issues with being accepted by other people, especially physical acceptance. They have often been or become the ugly duckling of society and have gotten use to rejection in the area of physical attractiveness. Often, feeling the rejection of physical attractiveness causes deep seated dependencies and feelings of need. Bottom line, they want to be loved, we want to be pretty and we want to be accepted by other people. Being fat has been a road block that prevented the acceptance from occurring. Physical rejection and lack acceptance is often displayed in parents and siblings. Often, parents and siblings tell a fat child, youth, or adult what they think of their obesity. This can be done out of cruelty, but usually it is done out of concern for the person. However, regardless of the intent, the result is profound in the life of the obese person and can be damaging for a life. In other words, a parent may tell an obese person, “You have gained so much weight... I am so worried about you”. Or they may say, “You have gotten so fat, nobody is going to want to ever be with you”. These types of comments, though they may temporarily encourage a person to lose weight, they also label the over weight person as undesirable and let them know that they are a physical reject to them and to society. Sexual rejection often goes hand in hand with physical rejections and acceptance. Being accepted sexually is often associated with physical acceptance. If a person is accepted sexually, they may feel more pretty, desired, wanted, and loved. Significant weight loss through diet or surgery has a profound affect on a person’s identity. Note that two crucial stages in Weight Loss Differences are the Significant Difference Stage, and the Identity Crisis Stage. In these two critical stages, WLS and Weight Loss people lose their sense of identity. They no longer know how people perceive their physical beauty. This is where Weight Loss people are naive about their sexual attractiveness and may develop Misconceptions of their Sexual Attractiveness. They may have a strong desire to find who is accepting of them now. It is like the person has been a true sexual prisoner of their obesity and has now been released to explore a world full of sexual partners that are accepting of them. As a result, naiveté of sexual attractiveness and their misconceptions of their sexual attractiveness may make Weight Loss Patients vulnerable to marital infidelities, which could endanger monogamous relationships. New energy levels, confidence, self esteem, and the new avenues of accepting sexual partners may create a strong desire for sexual exploration. The Weight Loss person’s sexual prowess is increased and they may find it nearly impossible turn down opportunities of sexual exploration as other people provide the attention that they desire, but lacked for so long. This may come in the form of opposite sex exploration and same sex exploration. The attention that they now receive is addictive. For a loving spouse or significant other, this can be a very frustrating and dangerous time in a relationship. The significant other, out of frustration, may try to control or constrain the Weight Loss patient. However, the attempt to control may actually work to push the Weight Loss person further away. It is a time when great support and communication is needed in the relationship. The significant other may need to provide new opportunities for exploration and provide greater amounts of attention to the weight loss patient. Communication is crucial concerning what is acceptable and what is not acceptable sexual behavior. The weight loss person needs to know they are loved, desired, and wanted. Marital or relationship counseling is strongly suggested during this time. Deeper problems within a relationship may surface as existing problems are magnified with much greater intensity during this time. Weight loss patients during these critical stages are less like accommodating poor or offensive behavior towards them, “I don’t have to put up with this crap and I am not”. Issues that have existed in relationships for long periods of time may come to the forefront. These issues must be addressed. Unfortunately, the spouse or significant other may not understand that the behavior exists or why it has become an issue now. Obesity may have caused the person to “Settle” for acceptance from person that they may think is actually less than desirable or beneath them. The person or people they accepted may have not been the best looking, most kind, most intelligent, most understanding, or may even be abusive. Because of the weight, confidence level, self esteem, and lack of acceptance from more desirable people, They accept the “love” and “settle” for who is available. At the time that they accept this person into our lives, they think they are on the same level or feel that they can’t really do any better because of the “fault” of obesity. Having said all this, I do not mean to imply that everyone goes through these issues or at the intensity mentioned above. However, the weight loss patient and people within the life of the patient need to realize that there are strong emotional and mental issues that a person may go through. Support is crucial and counseling may need to be seriously considered. With such intensely physical changes that take place in the WLS life, mental and emotional issues can be expected as the new person emerges. Try not to make rash judgments and be patient. Areas of Concern: These are areas for which I have thoughts and concerns. I hope to address these soon. If you have other topics in the area of psychology that you would like to see addressed, please let me know. If you want me to place one of the topics listed below at the top of my list, let me know. Thanks You. Energy and Willingness to be in Front of Others Leveling Change in friends Loss of Self Image and Social Position Increase Desire to explore removed barriers Expectations and Unrealistic expectations Self image – I don’t know how to smile for a camera Weight loss and Disappointment Spousal Attractiveness Link to Bruce's website and source of this article: http://www.thinnerse...ationships.html Explore his site I found lots of "goodies" to bookmark.

Yesterday I realized that it would be my last Thursday and today my last Friday and then my last weekend being ruled by obesity as next Wednesday I enter a "whole new world...a dazzling place I never knew...." I wanted to be open and share with you that it is truly hard to think about anything else...I have purchased what I believe is the WLS pantry, I've got the Isopure on board, the C, the Multi, etc. I went to Walmart(since I figured I will not stay in that size forever) and bought really cozy PJs that were originally $16 for the top and pant set and I paid $10 now I have something comfortable to recover in, I was not told to do any pre-op diet...how are you December, January, February sleevers dealing with the upcoming dates? I posted the song from Aladdin below, I think it goes perfectly with how I feel about this new chance at life, I dedicate it to all my sleeve sisters! I can show you the world Shining, shimmering, splendid Tell me princess, now when did You last let your heart decide? I can open your eyes Take you wonder by wonder Over, sideways and under On a magic carpet ride A whole new world A new fantastic point of view No one to tell us no Or where to go Or say we're only dreaming A whole new world A dazzling place I never knew But, now, from way up here It's crystal clear That now I'm in a whole new world with you Unbelievable sights Indescribable feeling Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling Through an endless diamond sky A whole new world (Don't you dare close your eyes) A hundred thousand things to see (Hold your breath it gets better) I'm like a shooting star I've come so far I can't go back to where I used to be A whole new world With new horizons to pursue I'll chase them anywhere There's time to spare Let me share this whole new world with you A whole new world (Every turn a surprise) With new horizons to pursue (Every moment red-letter) I'll chase them anywhere There's time to spare Anywhere, there's time to spare Let me share this whole new world with you A whole new world That's where we'll be A thrilling chase A wondrous place For you and me

Thank You! My Surgeon looked at me and said: "I can do your surgery on the 8th is that a problem for you because of the upcoming holidays?" Yahhhhhh let me think....this is going to be one of the best christmas of my life even if I am vomiting, and whatever I still think that.

HI, I am getting my surgery next week, what I can say is that due to my obesity I developed PCOS, I was diagnosed 2 year ago and yes...chin hair and hair around belly button, some hair thinning and falling out, break outs, these are things I dealt with due to the hormonal imbalance of PCOS. The chin hair if you never had it before is most likely due to your hormones too much male hormones or a decrease in female hormones. AN endocrinologist is best at telling whether you are balanced or not. Good luck, I wax for now, I have tried many many waxes and many strips I like the microwavable wax from Sally's-the honey kind, by the strips and once you get used to it is so much better than tweezing. Good Luck.

Sadly I think a lot of woman have and form relationships based on what gives them leverage to feel better about themselves, hence the search for the "fat friend", I had a friend who once told me she only chose girlfriends whom she felt were uglier than her in case her husband started looking, there is some very twisted psychology out there in this subject, I can see though how not being the center of attention anymore can hurt some women, being skinny in this society has become the rare out of the norm ideology that people love to hate, obesity is a disease but society does not see it as that, it is we are lazy, we stuff ourselves all day, we WANT to look and feel this way...I am excited to see who sticks by me after weight loss that way I get to see who my true friends are and also who is worth my time in the future.

Cinderella you have a team of people on the sidelines cheering for you, don't feel like you don't have support and plus I have a feeling when all is said and done a few months from now you'll be so fabulous it will all have been worth it! You are certainly in my prayers.

Glad you enjoyed, she is very transparent and as you saw has no shame about her surgery, in one of her videos she says that she decided to tell everyone she had the surgery because it cut the gossip right away, people no longer had to come up with theories or speculations she flat out said: "Thanks for the compliment, I had weight loss surgery!"

Good night Cinderella can't wait to hear all about how it went. Prayers.

I just finished watching this video, being pre-op I am always fascinated by the wisdom and the truths that are born once people shed the weight and become who they were meant to be, her video inspired me and if you are headed towards surgery hopefully this will add to your files of introspect. She really nailed a lot of things. She also has her husband on one of her videos(not this one) where he openly talks about how he feels, great to hear a man's perspective because when you are pre-op you can only speculate. http://www.youtube.c...u/1/NUfRG_tJliY

I vented about this very issue before and to me it basically comes down this issue, this weight, this surgery being a cross I have been carrying, no one at least in my surrounding offered help, there was plenty of criticism so I feel that this belongs to me and of course the friends I have made here because I truly feel that the only person who understands a fat girl is a fat girl or ex-fat girl. If you are fat then you stuff yourself all day according to people, if you are thin then you must have an eating disorder...get it? You can't please everyone so you got to please yourself.

The bariatric nurse I spoke to recently said that not everyone does, but a lot of people do and she claims it has to do with people following their recommended intake of food and protein, she said many people don't follow the protein rule. I have read though from most who have had the surgery that month 4-6 it happens. I have had PCOS in the last 2 years and I experienced hair loss due to it not noticeable BUT I know...I had a lot more hair, part of my weight loss surgery is to do with my PCOS. My doctor said age is a big factor and how people react to the weight loss the younger he said the better they bounce back, hair, skin, etc. I have my surgery on Dec.8 so I will let you know how it goes with the hair, though I have started on vitamins already mostly I wanted to get used to taking pills everyday and so I take a Multi and Biotin. Can't say what it is doing...but I will say my hair not falling like it was a month ago due to PCOS. Good luck.

Hi welcome and I hope you will find as I have(also a Newbie) support and information to help you through this transitional period as well as encourage you to keep heading towards the finish line. It sounds like you are in good hands at Duke, I have military insurance and therefore cannot speak for the one you have but my surgery is on Dec. 8 and I am also scared, excited, there is even some feeing of relief. Everyday of my life for the past eight years I have woken up praying that this is a nightmare that I am not as fat as I look and that I will wake up from this bad dream, of yo yo dieting, self-punishement, and whatever else other psycho bable word you can add to the equation. I have a chance now, I have a chance! Good luck to you and as Bob Marley said: "Every little thing, is gonna be alright!"