Hi, I am from Cullman just above you, if you are Birmingham AL. Your insurance is the determining factor of what needs to be done pre-op. Mine-PEEHIP BlueCross/BlueShield made me do 6 month primary care diet, then see a physical Therapist, a dietician and a Physcologist. My surgeon requires 1 week of High Protein LOW LOW carb diet before surgery and day before clear liquids. If you read seveal post on forum you will see all surgeons are different on what they require Pre-op.

Hope this helps a bit....just ask a lot of questions to your surgeon!

Which hospital will you be going to. I had a band fitted at Dolan Park on 31st may so I know how they work there

Great! your insurance will cover your L/B surgery. They may require you to have monthly appointments with your PCP (most insurance companies do), to check your weight, diet, progress etc. Make sure your PCP keeps good records of these visits, as they will need to be submitted to the Ins. Co. Your Ins. Co. may also require a psychiatric evaluation and other tests. You can use this pre-op time to get these things done, follow a diet and learn more about what will be expected from you and how the band will work.

The pre-op diet may be required by your surgeon, (I did not have to have do it). It is a liquid diet prior to surgery, to shrink your liver, which lies over your stomach, shrinking it will make the surgery easier. You could be on liquids for several weeks or a few days.

I did lose weight before surgery, so not sure if you have to prove that you can do it.

I hope this helps you.

My doctor put me on clear liquids for 2 weeks prior to surgery date. One very good reason is this. The clear liquids help to prep your liver for the surgery, the clear liquid makes your liver feel more solid to the touch and easier to move if they need to to access your stomach etc.. If it is not prepped, your liver could shred with the touch of a finger of your surgeon and then they will have to spend more time on the table operating on your damaged liver. I guess fat, and solid foods make the liver feel really soft and if touched during surgery it falls apart/damages. That is THE best reason my Doctor told me to keep to the liquids prior to surgery.. Also you lose a bunch of weight and that also makes surgery a little easier. It also shows you are dedicated to your success. So good luck!

Thats brilliant info thanks am in Birmingham in the Uk.

I dont know why but have a really bad feeling there gonna say no when i go even tho i have been accepted for the funding, i dont know if its just because ive been tryin to loose weight for years tried so many diets excercise swimming and nothing has worked has Reductil and Orlistat and most i lost was 6lbs in 4months with the slimming world diet and tablets. I guess i just worry to much i will do anything they ask to prep me or my body for this op