Surgery Date May 18th

I just got the call today. My surgery date is May 18th, which is 2 days before my Birthday. I'm nervous, anxious, scared, excited, and thrilled to begin this journey. My surgeon is Dr. Solon Hughes, at Riverside Surgical, in South Carolina, everyone there is so very nice My paperwork was just finalized on Monday and they said they'd send it for approval, so I figured it'd be a week or two before they scheduled my surgery, but approval was made early this morning, that was quick. I have my hospital appointment, a class, and a few more things to do the first week of May then my last appointment with the surgeon on May 15th then come Monday, May 18th I'll be starting the next chapter/journey in my already blessed life. Not sure how many days I'll be in hospital as my insurance has no stipulation on that. I have so many questions to ask, how hard is recovery really? Is pain really bad? Is learning to eat slow very difficult? How much weight could I possibly lose the first week? I know silly aren't I??? Anyone have any advise?? Or thoughts??? Or words of encouragement???

Thanks in advance,

blrobertson