I am just starting out with my Lap Band decision. I have done research, and have attended seminars as well as checking into coverage and financing options. (My plan doesn't cover it at all.) I am curious about how long the pre-op diet takes and how many visits i must make before the actual surgery. I ask because my mother wants me to have the surgery back home (there is a very renowned surgeon there) but I am concerned about how much pre-op there is because she lives 6 hours away. I am also wondering of I can get follow-up care from a different surgeon/doctor or if you are required to do follow up with the surgeon who performed the procedure. Can anyone shed light on these questions?

If you are self pay, you don't need a pre-op diet at all. That's an insurance requirement. If you want to have surgery "back home" then you need to contact a local doctor and see if he will take you on as a patient for follow up.

Thank you Cindy, but I heard a surgoen say that he needed the weight loss for the sake of the safety of my liver. how long does the pre-op diet take all together ?

If you are self pay, you don't need a pre-op diet at all. That's an insurance requirement. If you want to have surgery "back home" then you need to contact a local doctor and see if he will take you on as a patient for follow up.

the pre-op diet you are talking about can be 1 to 2 weeks liquid (mainly protein shakes). Each doctor is a little different. Some doctors just require a low carb diet. I would talk to local doctors about followup and also check with the dr your mom wants you to go to...it is possible he might have someone in your area he recommends. Good luck.

Thank you and congrats on your weight loss.

the pre-op diet you are talking about can be 1 to 2 weeks liquid (mainly protein shakes). Each doctor is a little different. Some doctors just require a low carb diet. I would talk to local doctors about followup and also check with the dr your mom wants you to go to...it is possible he might have someone in your area he recommends. Good luck.

My doctor did not require a pre-op diet at all. Some do, some don't. You will have to check with the doctor doing your surgery. Just call his office and ask.

Some doctors will not take on a patient that was operated on by another doctor. I would look into doctors in your area to see if they will do so. You will also need to ask the doctor near your mother what their preop requirements were. My doctor required the following: recent pap smear, recent Mammogram, EKG, heart ultrasound, full blood work, First consult, second meeting with surgeon, 3 mindful eating group therapy sessions, last consult with surgeon, presurgery blood work, presurgery training class on post surgery diet. Then post surgery I went in every 3 weeks for 7 months for fills. So a six hour trip for every appointment will be a lot.

Also some doctors require weight loss prior to the liver shriking diet. Mine required 10% body weight loss.