I am so sorry to hear of your mother-in-laws distressing situation and I am sure other members are more qualified to comment than me as I haven't had my surgery yet and I live in England but I have already had 3 appointments with another next week regarding my pre op care, I have seen a dietitian, a psychologist,had all my labs done, met the whole surgical team and have all the info and statistics of the hospital,the op and the surgeon and was given 24hour helpline numbers and I am currently on a pre op diet and my whole family and friends have known what was happening from the start and have been amazingly supportive .....and I have been told that if you don't follow the liver shrinking pre op diet and my surgeon cannot perform the op laparoscopically he will not continue as he puts it you haven't kept your side of the deal and you are not serious enough to follow that for 2 weeks why should he put your life and his reputation in jeopardy with a much longer surgery but I suppose this comes from the system we have here with a National Health Service and not a pay as you go system you have in America forcing people to find cheaper solutions and huge debts......but that is a political argument
I wish your mother in law a speedy recovery and good luck with your impending arrival
You get out of life what you put in