Surgery is Jan 7, 2008 - any advice, surgery at Albany Medical Center with Dr. Singh

Well its official I have a date of Jan 7th, I am still waiting for ins. approval, but I am praying everyday.  I was just wondering if anyone knew what the pre-op diet before surgery was like for Albany Med.   I am meeting with the nutritionist again soon, but she doesn't even know that I have my date.  By some major fluke I was supposed to meet with the PA at the surgeons office, but she called in that day and the other PA was out also, so I ended up Meeting the big guy himself Dr. Singh and to my surprise...we went thru my chart and he said congrats you have met all of your requirements, except your educational seminar but that is scheduled for Dec. 18th, so let go into my office and set up a date.  I am still in shock, I am very happy  and just pray that all will work out.  Does anyone have any words of wisdom for this waiting period?  I am getting nervous that it won't happen or that something will hold it up.  My insurance is changing the end of January and the new company will not cover the surgery, but will cover my follow ups.  I look to everyone at OH, because you are all my inspirations and the only real support system that I have right now.

Congratulations! January 7th will be here before you know it.  I had my surgery this past April with Dr. Dunnican, Dr. Singh's associate.  I did not have a "pre-op" diet other then the one I'd used to lose my 10%.  I continued that until the day of surgery, this meant no "last meals."  The day before surgery I chose to stick to mostly a liquid diet.  Don't get into the trap of thinking you'll never have certain foods again and run out and gorge on them.  That belief system is not true (for the most part).  You will eat normal food again and honestly it happens fairly quickly (the time seems to have flown by now that I look back).  I did go out to dinner to my favorite restaurant a few nights prior to surgery but I practiced my new eating strategies, the same ones I use now.  I ordered my meal, and along with my meal I ordered my "to go box."  I try to always portion out my food prior to beginning eating.  I ate my protein first and did not drink with my meal.  I think doing this consistenly before surgery helped me to realize that I would be able to enjoy eating out again and that I could do it mindfully. 
Make sure to write down any questions such as this that you might have and bring them to your educational seminar with you.  If possible bring your support person or spouse, the information is just as valuable to them as it is to you.  Immediately following the seminar is the Albany Med Support Group meeting which is held every Thursday evening from 5:30-7:30.  If you haven't attended one recently now would be a great time to do so.  There are a lot of participants that have recently had their surgery, and many that are further out. 
Congrats and Good Luck!
D

thanks for the advice, I found out today that my insurance approved everything.  Now I am really excited and I will definetly not do that last minute meal thing.  I will definetly go to the support group meeting that night.  I have been attending the group meetings in Saratoga, since its alot closer for me.  Looks like you have done great. Congrats.  I am kinda overwhelmed with everything going so fast, but relieved also.  I didn't realize how close jan 7 really is until now.  Sorry for the type o's there is something wrong with my keyboard.

I got approved the end of June/beginning of July for surgery in August.  I was studying for a big test for the end of July and I hate to admit it, but I ate everything in sight!  I did not "practice" eating for after my surgery; I ate whatever I wanted to.  I was stress eating and I felt slightly  panicky about the surgery thinking, as the poster above said, that I would never be able to eat anything again.  This is not true.  I have to say that I have been fine since the surgery, because it truly forces you (at least it does me) to eat a certain way.  Small amounts and protein first.   The first two months you won't feel like eating much anyway.  I have lost 68 lbs.since the surgery in August and I am starting to eat more "normally" with less problems of feeling sick or "stuck".  Good luck to you!