Hello everybody. I'm very happy to have found this forum. I'm in the initial stages of the process. My consultation is scheduled for Aug. 13. I'm very excited and ready to get things underway. I'm also very nervous about dealing with the insurance company, etc. I've read some of your stories! Anyway, I'm looking forward to it and I'm really happy to have found this forum.

I am also new and have a scheduled seminar date of 7/28 to learn more about this process.

I want to know about the after surgery and fast was the recovery. I am reading articles that say 3 weeks. I did not think it would take that long??

I have been reading the posts and did not know there was a pre-op diet you need to go thru. What I have read on line did not say anything about that.

Any advice, things I should ask, etc???

I have been a yo yo dieter for years and have tried just about every diet there is.

I appreciate your comments.

Thanks,

I am also new and have a scheduled seminar date of 7/28 to learn more about this process.

I want to know about the after surgery and fast was the recovery. I am reading articles that say 3 weeks. I did not think it would take that long??

I have been reading the posts and did not know there was a pre-op diet you need to go thru. What I have read on line did not say anything about that.

Any advice, things I should ask, etc???

I have been a yo yo dieter for years and have tried just about every diet there is.

I appreciate your comments.

Thanks,

I've read different things about the pre-op diet. I think it depends on the person and your insurance company. My mom had gastric bypass 5 years ago and she was required to go on a liquid diet for 10 days prior to her surgery (I think to shrink the size of her liver before surgery). Some insurance companies require that you follow a physician supervised diet and exercise plan for a period of time before you can be approved.

I have Aetna and I (think) you have to do that for a minimum of three months before surgery, which stinks. But at this point, I don't care what I have to go through to get it done, I'm just tired of feeling like crap. I'm ready to feel good and not worry about what new health problem is right around the corner.

Really, do you get this information at the seminar? Well I guess I will find out soon.

Thanks for the info.

I varies by doctor and insurance company, as others have posted. The info seminar I went to was a big public meeting. We were given folders with a lot of info in it and an information sheet to fill out. That got mailed in, then the surgeon's office called me a week or so later for an appointment. At the appointment, I found out the exact requirements of my insurance company and they gave me referrals for the pre-testing. I have Aetna, which required a 6-month pre-op diet. If you've already been dieting with a doctor, that will count toward it. I had my first meeting with the surgeon on Sept. 23, 2008, and got the approval in June 2009. Surgery is July 31. (I had to wait a bit longer because I had pneumonia for about a month.)

The pre-op diet helps shrink your liver and makes your abdomen looser, which makes surgery easier.

Good luck to all of you!