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Hi guys!! What is the point of the 3 or 6 month pre op diet? Is it for weight loss or just to maintain? What is insurance accually looking for, and could I be denied if I loose weight?

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Well, I didn't have to do it. My Dr wanted me to lose weight for 2 reasons.

1.) to prove I was serious about this and willing to change my eating habits

2.) to shrink my liver because it is in the way of band placement and he said that when you first lose weight a lot of that weight is off your liver?????

My insurance company (Medica) did not require a 6 month pre-diet.

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The nurse I worked with through my insurance said it was for a few reasons. 1) was to see if I actually could make some progress and "stick to some rules"; 2) was to ensure I was serious and wasn't doing this as a quick fix; 3) was for some initial weight loss; and, 4) was to help me learn about better nutrition because I also had to attend dietician sponsored trainings.

I don't think you would be denied if you lost weight unless you are super close to the BMI cut off. I was in no danger of that though! GOOD LUCK!

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They do not turn you down for losing weight. I asked about that too. They are actually hoping you will lose some on your own to show you are serious and can follow a regimen.

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It depends on the insurance company. I was recently banded through Cigna. If I had lost more than a certain % of weight, I would have been denied because they would conclude that I could lose the weight without surgery. However, some other companies require you to lose a certain amount of weight to prove that you ARE disciplined enough to have the surgery. The insurance specialist in your surgeon's office is probably familiar with the philosophy for each company and can possibly give you more insight on what will get you approved.

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Omgoodness!! I am so thrilled I went through a pre-op 3 month program. The people there were so informative. There's sooooooo much to learn about being banded and living with the band!

My insurance didn't require any pre-op program, it was the surgeons doing. And the best decision I've made in my life.

There was a reason I never succeeded at weight loss or maintaining weight loss, I was uneducated about it all! From food to exercise, I always had an excuse or a 'know it all' attitude. I went into the program with a open mind, and absorbed ever piece of information I could. This band will not only save my life, but my families lives. In 5 months I've lost 19 pre-op lbs. I feel amazing. And without meeting with all the people in the pre-op program, id have make the journey alone, with not nearly enough support. In 12 days I will be banded. Im so excited, and so happy that I have that support, information & knowledge to turn into such a positive in my life. This was my expirence, hope it helps:) & good luck to you!!!!

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Thanks for the help guys :)

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My experience has been almost a mirror of Clark's. I couldn't have said it better! Good luck!

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This is all good information. Thanks for replying to Anali. I now understand this better.

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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