25 days until my VBG!

... and man, am I excited! I've managed to lose about 44 lbs. in the last 14 months, but I can't wait to see what an amazing help this surgery is going to be when coupled with my exercise and healthy eating.  I go-in for surgery on the morning after Christmas. The only down-side? I can't have Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinners! I'm on a liquid diet for those two days... *sigh*... my husband is probably more devastated than I am! If anyone has any tips that you wish you knew before going in to the hospital (or things for after you came home), that'd would be wonderful! Also, how long did most of you wait to go back to work? I'm taking 12 days off after my open VBG; I have a desk-job that requires minimal movement. Please let me know!