My doctor didn't suggest...(this is a long one!)

...a pre-op diet! Nope...not the liquid diet for a few or several weeks. I didn't have to lose any certain amount of weight or anything before the surgery. I was only told to "eat light, and 'try' not to eat after 6:00 pm" the night before. And I can't say I was upset about it...'cause I hear all the stories...

My journey pretty much began like this:

In August, I decided I had had enough of the "old me." I picked up my phone and called the local bariatric surgeon, was scheduled for my initial appointment for that Friday (where I spoke with the insurance coordinator) and given a list of all the things I needed to do before I would be approved for surgery.

The first thing I needed to do was have clearance through my primary care physician...got it! Then I had to meet with the surgeon...done! Next, the nutritionist...check! I need to see a psychologist...did it! And finally, the long, drawn out process of getting the insurance to approve of the surgery...

By now, it is November, and need I mention, my new out of pocket started over in January...UGH! I scrambled to get the approval, but to no avail. 2010 went out with a bang, and so did my hopes of getting the surgery by 11:59 pm, December 31, 2010.

January 1st, 2011, I lay in my bed, MAD! What is the problem with insurance carriers??? Don't they realize that in the long run they will pay more for the treatment of my health problems than the surgery itself? I mean between sleep apnea, high blood pressure, newly diagnosed diabetes and a list of things on the horizon, just pay the money! Isn't that what my husband pays his premiums for?

So, I waited...and waited...and waited...all the while staying in contact with my surgeons office, and they were waiting as well. Finally, January 14, 2011, I called the insurance company and was told as of January 1, 2011, approval from the insurance company was no longer needed for ANY procedure that would be "outpatient" surgery, with a window of 24 hours for observation. WHAT??? That's just what I needed, as lapband surgery has a 24 hour hospital stay (without complications)! LET'S GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD!!!

My surgery was scheduled for 6:30 am on February 21, 2011. WOO-HOO!!! So, here I am...8 weeks post op... I succeeded with the liquid diet, soft foods diet and now that I am on the regular diet, I am doing quite well! I am 32 (YAAAY!) lbs lighter and loving the "new me"!!! I am more active, dropped 2 dress sizes already (I am 5'9", so the height really helps!) and looking forward to the rest of my life!

I have to thank my husband, my sister (who is joining me in my weight-loss...she had gastric bypass surgery in March), my entire family and my team of doctors. At long last, I will reach my goal of being fun, fat-free and fabulous!

Did you have a question about pre-op diets? For some reason, not every surgeon requires a pre-op diet. Mine did (to shrink the size and improve the texture of my liver).

If I were you, I'd be overjoyed to have finally gotten your band and be losing weight at last. Keep up the good work!

Jean

No question...I've had a few people ask me what pre-op diet I was on, so I just wanted to put that out there...

Thanks! I am very excited! Anxiously awaiting goal weight day!!!

Awesome Ending!!! God has a way of making it happen when you least expect it :) Keep up the good work! 

THANKS!

 Thanks for the story,  very inspirational  for my morning.

Yay for you, and soon to be Yay for me...I'm getting my band on Friday!  I don't really have much of a pre-op diet, either.  I will only be on liquids 2 days prior.  Congratulations!!

KUDOS to you! Keep me posted concerning your progress, ok???

Von

Sure will!
Cathy