Congratulations!!! I don't think you will be sorry. When I had my surgery they gave really strong pain meds, liquid, which may help with the arthritis.

I had to wash with special cleaner the night before and the morning of the surgery and never heard of the 'q'tip and the belly button. That is a new one.

​I couldn't have caffeine for many months after the surgery. I do limit it though. I am a tea drinker not coffee.

One thing I did not do before the band, take measurements or pictures. That is up to you, though.

I feel your pain, I truly do. Between being ravenous on the preop diet, and also off my nsaids, I was miserable.and in tremendous pain. But it was all worth it now that I've dropped 86 lbs. and became a good candidate for joint replacement surgery....which I wasn't able to do before losing the weight. I have to have several joints replaced, but after it's all done, I expect to be mobile and in much less pain than I've been dealing with these last two years. Good luck and I know you will do great!

if the doctor had said.... Christina you have to give up coffee for ever.... i would have stayed fat. That was not an issue. My doctor never said no caffeine. I would venture to say that most everyone here drink either coffee or tea all day.

Good luck with your journey... i wish you all the luck

I am 6 days post op and I'm not going to lie the first couple of days were a little rough but today I walked a mile and although im still having some bloating and gas issues I feel pretty good. I was a wreck for days before my surgery and now i'm thinking wow that wasn't so horrible. I am so happy with my choice for years I was dead set against weight loss surgery of any kind all I can say about that is I was foolish. I can't wait to see where this journey takes me.. Good luck with your surgery i'm sure in about a week you will be feeling as I do about soooo happy...

I had my surgery and feel like a complete success, honestly. I didn't run screaming from the pre-op area. I didn't work myself into a panic attack in the morning before the surgery. Apparently during the procedure, my BP bottomed out, but it was because I was a bit dehydrated. Nothing lingered. I had a rough day yesterday, late in the day. All the gas decided it needed to push its way out at 7pm. It was the most painful thing I've experienced in a long time. But, this morning, I'm still a little gassy and a little sore, but I'm up and around. I've been walking around the house. I made it outside for the first time since Wednesday. I'm waiting for my family to come home and then I'll walk further outside. I'm very happy I've done this. I feel silly for being panicky about it in the days leading up to it. But, it's who I am. I'm grateful that I have all of next week off from work. A slow re-entry to the real world will be nice. Thanks for all the supportive comments!