UHC & pre-op diet

[mclorrie 219]

I'm nearing the end of my six month doctor supervised weight loss requirement. For those of you that have UHC, when did your pre-op diet begin? Did it start when you got your approval? Or after you had your pre-op appointment?

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

I have UHC and my preop diet began one week before the surgery date, which was a couple weeks after the preop appointment. I was approved 2 days after submitting it to UHC. Some folks with my same surgeon had 2 weeks liquid diet, some had 1, not sure why. But, I got lucky and had only 1 and it went by fast, and I lost 12 pounds on it.

[mclorrie 219]

Thanks! That makes sense. I had it in my mind that it would start immediately after my last appointment. I'm just getting impatient! ????

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

I understand completely. I was too.

[Charity P 9]

Generally you don't want to start you pre-op diet until you know you are having surgery. So you will want to wait for approval. The pre-op diet is to shrink the fat around your liver to make surgery easier so the dr can maneuver easier. And to put your body in ketosis for fat burning and so your stomach is empty on surgery day. So it needs to go right up to surgery day.

I have never heard of just one week to do this. My dr wanted 14 pre-op liquid diet. It takes 3-4 days to go into ketosis. You may feel fatigued and "off" in the first few as your body withdrawals from not having what you regularly eat, but when ketosis kicks in you will feel much better! They told me all this before I started and didn't believe them, but it was true. Sure, I wanted things other were eating, but I just avoided temptation bc I wanted to be the best condition I could be on the day of surgery. It can be disappointing bc this time, but its temporary.

I am 46 days post op and 40lbs down.

[mclorrie 219]

Thanks. I know why the pre-op diet is necessary. I have to do a calorie reduced diet for two weeks and a liquid diet for two days. Just wishing it to get here sooner!

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

@@mclorrie the time will start to fly...I promise. Then it'll be surgery day, you will be in recovery before you know it saying...I can't believe I really did it! At least that was my experience. I still can't believe I really did it!!

[mclorrie 219]

Thanks @wannaBthinsoon!! How are you doing btw?? I know you got sleeved what? A week ago?

I had my fifth appt. yesterday, and I'm right on track! My sixth and final appointment is May 19 - we'll go through my check list to make sure I've completed all my requirements (which I have). And then my medical team will meet to discuss my case and decide if I'm a good candidate for WLS. If they all agree, then it gets submitted to UHC for approval!

Once approved - I'll get the call to schedule my pre-op appt, at that time, I'll meet with my surgeon to schedule surgery!

It's getting REAL now!!

Edited April 30, 2015 by mclorrie