Hi there -
I'm also just beginning my journey as a self payer - met with my surgeon on Friday and we are tentatively scheduling the surgery for the 3rd week in February as I have a trip planned the end of January. I am 50 years old with two very active boys, 14 and 11. My surgeon is putting me on a two week liquid diet which I guess will be enough weight loss to conduct the surgery. FYI the reason they want us to lose weight is that it will shrink the size of the liver, the first place weight goes and the first place it leaves when we start losing. A smaller liver makes the surgery easier. Maybe with that knowledge it will make the diet easier?!?
Anyway, I am very appreciative of this forum and as this is the first time I've posted I do think the support found here will make the entire process easier to deal with. Good luck to you!