i only had a 3 day pre op too - i think it depends on the amount of weight to lose. also they had a cancelation so i went really fast and last minute. found out 3 days before. i think one of the goals is to shrink the liver so they can get to the stomach easier. i did my surgery sept 2011. the person who wrote first gave an accurate description of my experience but it sounds like they do a hotel now instead of the house. i loved the camraderie overall of doing this with other people. i have had great success and very happy results.