My suspicion about pre-op diets and surgeons

[crosswind 134]

You have to do what YOU are comfortable with. I talked to a surgeon who told me that before he had his patients do the pre-op diet, it took him about 1 1/2 hrs to do a bypass, with the pre-op diet, its only 45 mins. Because its lapro there isn't a lot of room to move and the liver certainly gets in the way. However, he did indicate that its definitely more impactful for higher BMI patients. I'm at the lower end of the BMI scale and my pre-op diet is only 1 week. But if there's a chance the pre-op diet shrinks my liver and therefore makes my surgery time less, I'm all for it (not to mention the healthier liver). I'm a self pay too, here in the states. And if I had to choose a 4 day hospital stay or 2 years of aftercare with a 1 day stay. I'll choose the 1 day stay and aftercare anytime.

FBG -- it's great to have aftercare. The self-pay surgeon I was looking at here had a package with the hospital, anesthesia, BLIS and I think a year of global aftercare for 20K. I was really going to do that but I did this instead -- I'm almost trying to figure out why after the fact. In the OP I was theorizing about the lack of complications ( as far as I know) with this particular surgeon after so many sleeves. My theory was that rigorous patient monitoring immediately after surgery, and within a longer time frame to let problems develop, might be one reason there are less complications so far with this doctor.

[crosswind 134]

I'm not a person to take risks and all I'm saying is, really; for me, going to Mexico is too risky. And expensive, out of pocket which is not an option for me right now. I'm half Hispanic/native American, I'm afraid they wouldn't let me leave. LOL And I'd get picked on for not speaking spanish. (no, i'm not illegal)

But anyways, I was just stating an opinion. There's so many loops that we have to get thru for the insurance and surgeon and I don't mind them because I know I'll be ready. For example, Kaiser requires a full psych evaluation and group/individual sessions. I like that. Being able to vent to a psych who specializes in bariatric patients and has probably seen it all, is very comforting to me. CUZ I'm scared! I want to do it but I'm so scared about the surgical complications, not being able to stay away from my old eating habits, or gaining it back. There's a whole team I'm accountable to; dieticion, nutritionist, a nurse who calls me periodically to check in, the pshychologist and the surgeon.

I was born with no thyroid so having this team, for me, is what I feel I need. I'm sure it's not everyone's preference. I was dead set against this surgery til a few months ago. Actually, I was set against the gastric bypass but then they told me about the sleeve and I jumped on board. I've watched so many youtube videos of people who have had the courage to do this and they inspired me.

As for the money, I know they all make a mint, here and all over the world.

I was dead set against surgery too. I thought it was self-mutilation. Then I realized I'd been mutilizing myself over this issue for most of my life.

[lovelylady 1]

Actually I think the real true reaason for the pre-op diet is because if I wasn't on it I would do what any normal fat or thin person would do if you told them they would not be able to eat for a month and then very very carefully forever thereafter. I would go insane trying to stuff everything in my mouth I would tell myself I would never taste again. If you want to make an obsessive overeater out of anyone, just tell them the world will be all out of food next week...

this was very funny!