Pats Fan in MA

Just got my date: November 9, 2011! Started the process with my PCP this past June. Was really going to go for Gastric Bypass although I just couldn't get past some of the issues with it; most importantly not being able to find any positive evidence (including researching medical journals) that could reassure me I wasn't otally f***ing up my body for life.  Other than joint pain, I have no co-morbitities. All my labs are perfect. Even my Vitamin D levels are perfect, and I live in New England! Why would I want to mess with that?  I want to be 10-20 years out and playing tennis, hiking mountains, doing everything and anything I want to do, and the more I researched complications from malnutrition, I couldn't justify the RNY GBP any longer.  My goal is to be HEALTHY, not THIN. Thin I can get through Band or Bypass, Healthy I think is only acheivable through the Band. (not to say anything about any other procedures- these were the two available to me).
I met with the surgeon last Thursday, September 8th and reveiwed my choice for the Lap Band.  I love this surgeon and have the utmost confidence in him. Beth Israel in Boston is a Center of Excellence, and Boston in general has a cluster of some of the best hospitals in the nation, so if I'm going to do it, why not while I'm living in this healthcare Mecca? :)
They wanted to schedule me for 9/26.....but that gave me much anxiety for being so soon.  I am doing temp work right now, and won't have a job to return to once the surgery and recovery is done, so I need to save up what I can to cover bills until something else comes up for income.  I am on my spouse's insurance and we get by, but it will be really tight without me bringing something to the table.
I also have a part-time wedding photo business. I have a wedding in South Carolina on November 5th, and rather than trying to squeeze in recovery time before I have to get on a plane and do a 8 hour photo shoot, I figured it would just be best to wait.  I hate putting off the journey, but I'm not going to actually; I am joining my local Y this weekend and starting an exercise routine and watching what I eat now, so hopefully I will lose a few pounds even before the liquid diet.
 
Phew- I haven't even gone into my history of struggling with my weight...that will have to come out another time.
 
Thanks for reading!