I Am going In two weeks for a consultation. I have been to one before when I was 16 and I was too young for insurance to even consider. So I was wandering about the process after the consultation. Many have said things about insurance approval and pre-op diets. I really would just like to know kind of what to expect between my first visit and my actual surgery date.

I was not able to get coverage by my insurance for the surgery, so can't help you there...BUT, I can tell you about my pre-op diet...

It is usually done for 2 weeks, but they squeezed me in on a cancellation and allowed me to do 1 week of the pre-op diet.

Pre-op diet:

Meal 1: Any 2 choices: yogurt, fruit, egg, wholegrain Cereal, toast, bagel, waffle, muffin

Meal 2: 1 serving of Protein drink ( I used Atkins Advantage - I think the milk chocolate tastes good and it's not too expensive $ 5- $ 6 for a 4-pack.)

Meal 3: 1 serving (4-6) oz. of lean meat or fish AND a green vegetable (lettuce, peas, green Beans, spinach, salad)

Meal 4: 1 serving of Protein Drink

Also, I had to start a Multivitamin and a Calcium 1000mg supplement with added Vitamin D - Both CHEWABLE.

I could also supplement sugar free Jello, sugar free popsicles, crystal light (all flavors), or Water.

<3 Hope this helps!!

First consult was with Nurse Practitioner, Therapist, Nutritionist.

Had to show that I'd had a yearly physical, Pap Smear, Mamogram (I'm over 40), cardio ultrasound.

My doctor required preoop weight loss. For me it was 35 pounds.

3 appointments with a eating disorder therapist. If your doctor does not require these go on your own. Understanding why you overeat and developing strategies to stop are very key to being a sucessful bandster.

2 preop meetings with the surgeon.

Preop blood tests

Meeting with anesthesiologist

Class on eating postop: first half focused on the first month after surgery (when you are on a liquid and mushie diet); second half how you will eat for the rest of your life (focusing on solids/protein and healthy eating)

My doctor did not require a preop liquid diet. I had my own diet and lost 50 pounds from time of consult to surgery. Originally my surgery was scheduled 3 months from consult. Because I had an unresolved brain blood clot (had stroke at 39) surgery was delayed by another 4 months.

I didnt have a preop diet. After my consultation I was scheduled for a consultation with a nutritionist and a psych evaluation. I also had bloodwork and some cardiopulmonary type test. I had to log my meals for 90 days. I kind of wish I had been placed on a preop diet because I actually GAINED weight from my first consultation to the day of surgery (12lbs)

Hope this helps

After my consultation with the bariatric surgeon I had chosen, I had to contact my insurance and talk to them about what they required for me to have an insurance approved lap band.

I have federal bc/bs of Florida. They required a letter of medical necessity from my regular doctor, a BMI of 40 or greater, 3 months of supervision by a nutritionist and my regular doctor, and a psych evaluation.

I also made sure my bariatric surgeon and the hospital he was using was a preferred provider with my insurance company so that they would cover the maximum allowed.

My surgeon's office walked me through everything I needed to get done in order to be approved by insurance. My surgeon set me up with the nutritionist which was a meeting once a month for 3 months. Then I went in for a 1 day psych evaluation.

After the 3 months of nutritionist and doctor visits everything was submitted to insurance and I was approved in 48hours and scheduled for surgery within 30 days.

My surgeon also required that I have a pulmonary clearance and cardiac clearance before surgery, all of which was covered by my insurance.

My surgeon suggested a 10 day pre-op diet, but every surgeon is different. I am having surgery on July 24, 2012. And besides all the running around to different doctor appointments everything so far is going smoothly.

Goo Luck on your journey!!!!