Also wanted to add my surgeons office provides both counseling and nutrition services for life, free of charge. They also required us to complete monthly online classes and 4 in person weigh in classes during the optifast liquid diet. During that time we had to lose 5% of our excess weight or not be approved for surgery. I had to get an EEG cardio clearance including an echo, and a nicotine test, so lots and lots of hoops. Now that surgery is over, I have a phone appointment before I can advance to full liquids abd an in person class before solids, along with a two week, four week, six month and 13 month follow up appointments. If your office doesn't offer this, I would suggest scheduling follow ups on your own.