In less than 24 hours I will be banded. I know I wanted this, I know I need this, I know I will look wicked awesome............but I'm scared.

I just had my last breakfast that was allowed, I opted for a protein shake as I don't want to get my chewing on today. So from here on out it is liquids for the next 14 hours then zip. I get a shot of water to take my meds tomorrow morning and then night night.

I had to ask the doctor to place the port on my left side. It is kind freaking me out b/c he said he always put it on the right. I self doubt myself b/c what if he messed up and doesn't sew it in right, what if what if what if. I told him I could deal with having it near my pulled rib area, but he said it is fine.

THEN to add to my stress he asked what band I wanted. He does the realize or lapband. I don't know which one to go with. I asked two people I highly respect in the band field.......they each suggested a different band.

So here I go giving faith to my doctor to choose. He is going with the Lapband, but I so wonder if the support you get from the realize is better argh!

I will research it today, but odds are just go with what he wants.

I also have to decide it I am going to stay in the hospital or go home after a few hours. I don't make decisions well at all. So will just wait to see tomorrow.

Good luck to you...all your fears are normal. I'm surprised he's offering you all the choices at the very end (I knew from the initial seminar). If you're worried about him messing up the port placement, just ask one of the nurses to mark the spot on you with a Sharpie "Port Here" (it's alcohol based, so it's sterile...and they mark people for different surgeries all the time). Or if you're crazy like me, you draw a 'porthole' on your tummy. If it helps, I did a lot of research and chose the LB (but I know you'll find people on both sides of this debate). One of the docs on here who has been in trials for the new Realize 'C' (which most docs don't have access to yet) says he prefers the LB to the old Realize...the new Realize 'C' makes them more equal, but I still would have picked the LB (and the LB site is in the process of being updated so it will eventually be more like the Realize support site). Stay overnight if you can...even though I didn't get much sleep, all my (minor) things happened the 2nd day and I would have had bigger problems at home (like when my blood sugar spiked...I'm not a diabetic so I would have had no way to deal with this).

Try to get some sleep tonight, and good luck tomorrow! -BG

Best wishes to you! I will remember you in my prayers tonight and tomorrow. It's an exciting journey. Concentrate on rest and doing exactly what they say. I am 4 weeks post-op, and I feel wonderful.