This maybe the hardest part.. I just saw my doc for my final appt and to submit my three months of nut, trainer and psych eval. I was hoping to get a surgery date sometime this month but doc was figuring beginning of next( Aetna ins) I'm hoping that he was trying to exaggerate the time frame to make it seem better if it happens faster.

Now that I'm getting this close the internal food struggle seems worse, I'm battling the thoughts of rationalizing enjoying this last bit of time I have with my old friend food. I know how counter productive it is but I can't deny the feeling is there. My doc doesn't require much of a preop diet except for 2 weeks very low fat but I kinda wish he required more, he says he'd prefer his patients not be burnt out on shakes before the ever even get the surgery..

Feel free to share any thoughts well wishes past experiences

Gee, I am also Aetna. I will be having my final hurdle appointment next week. I too was hoping for a quick date, but we'll see. I hope that the approval process goes quickly for you.

I'll certainly let you know how the process goes along . Where are you hoping to have your surg?

I am in Northern NJ, so I am planning to have it at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood. The practice I go to is one of the Bariatric Centers of Excellence in Aetna, so it is in-network. I refuse to pay for out-of-network fees if I can help it.

My final visit with the pych is on Sep 13. After that, I am done with all the requirements for Aetna. I was secretly hoping for a date in the Oct 8-12 range. I doubt that I will be that lucky.

My surgeon doesn't require a pre-op diet but I think the day before surgery you are required to drink some clear liquid that will clear out your system. I might try a 1 week pre-op diet but protein shakes give me horrible constipation so I might have to reconsider.