Becky,
First let me start with congrats on your surg date!!!
I'm gonna tell you the same thing I tell my family, why do you want to worry until you actually have something to worry about......
For me having a band was me making a statement that I am taking control of my life, from what I put in my mouth to how much I sit on the couch. I completely understand the time/money issue where the gym is concerned. My answer to you, walk walk walk!!! Put the little one in the stroller and walk, if the wearther is bad go to the mall and walk.
I've tried to make it harder for myself to make excuses and instead find a way to make it happen.
I started out walking during my lunch hour. I started by myself b/c I didn't want to have the excuse of my workout partner couldn't becase (fill in the blank). I walked almost every day and my boss would make crappy remarks about it all the time. I figured does it really matter that I walk at lunch and get hot....I change clothes and I don't see ANYONE all day long....so what difference does it make!! Since then I've joined the gym downstairs in my building with a girl in my office that way I can't use the weather as an excuse anymore...my boss is still snotty about it, but I just know that she's "that kind of person" and try to let what she says go in one ear and out the other (not always so easy to do).
If this is something you want you have to go into it know it's something you are GOING TO HAVE TO WORK FOR....if you can't afford the gym find a way to work out at home, you don't have to have expensive equipment or memberships to get what you need, and if i'm not mistaken you can even check out work out video's from the library.
What I'm saying here is don't worry about failing until you are failing...and if this is something you want then there is a way for you to make it happen.
Good luck I can't wait to hear about your SUCESS!!!