Anyone have to drop 50 + lbs before surgery?

I had my first visit earlier in the month and was very discouraged to hear my Dr. tell me that I REALLY needed this surgery, but could not have it until I dropped 50 lbs on my own. I have never in my life had such a successful weight loss. It seems like an impossible feat. To make matters worse, the dietitian he referred me to doesn’t accept health coverage of ANY kind. This guy wants to do lab work and EKGs, which I don’t even want to imagine how much that would cost straight up. Anyone been through this and have any tips? I am desperate to make this happen and have drastically cut down on my fat and calorie intake while I search for an approved dietitian. It just seems like I have such a long way to go before I even begin the process for surgery.

 

 

Yes, I had the a surgeon in Oklahoma tell me that needless to say I changed doctors. I chose Dr. Dunshee in Topeka Ks because he didn't require that, I look at it this way if I was able 2 lose 50 pounds why would I need this surgery.

Each doctor is different and has different requirements. The main reason that a doc would want to have a smaller BMI on a patient is to have less stress during the surgery and in the recovery process. Some docs want to keep their success rate very high and place these requirements on their patients. That does not mean that those who don't require the loss ahead of time care any less about you. You have to want to do this for you or you won't have the success you are thinking will come your way. I decided to lose about 50 pounds before the surgery so that I had the comfort of knowing that I had put myself in the top 10% (in terms of health) of everyone getting this surgery. I also walked a lot and was in great physical shape - at least for a morbidly obese man. If you cannot lose any weight on your own, you might want to evaluate the question of if you can be successful in a long-term kind of way. Many people get this surgery and are NOT successful at it...this is a sad fact. The main thing this will do is "help" you keep the weight off - if you work at it. I was SO glad that I lost the weight ahead of time, because losing weight has gotten VERY tough at six month through the one year mark for me. If I had not lost that weight, I would still be sitting 40-50 pounds from my goal instead of just 10.  Please make sure that you understand what this surgery will be able to do for you. You must be prepared to work at it and work at it VERY hard. As I'm sure you have read and been told, this is no easy fix and the more you understand that, the better off you will be. To a certain extent we all said that we understood that prior to surgery, but it is only afterwards that you can REALLY understand that. I hope that I have not come off too blunt, but I am a huge advocate (though not literally anymore) of getting some pre-weight off. I want to wish you the best on your journey. If you decide to make this a fantastic trip, you will be amazed at the result. I wake up every morning and think that perhaps this dream is over and that this was all just a dream. Then I remind myself that it is real, and that still amazes me each and every day. What a blessing I have....the real opportunity to have a real life once again. John P.S. I'd also like to add that I utilized the same group of doctors that the previous poster used and I as exceptionally happy and satisfied. They are a group of 5 doctors, so if there are any problems, five heads are better than one.

Is there any reason you have to lose that much weight? I ask only because I know that sometimes when you are SMO, you have a better chance of coming through surgery by getting a bit of weight off. What is your BMI? I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but I would seek out other docs. I did not have to lose any weight prior to surgery. It just sounds like a daunting task. I mean, really, if any of us were that good with losing weight, would we have needed WLS to begin with?

I don't really want to get into specifics, but my BMI is high and he suggested I lose the weight so my recovery would be faster and surgery less risky. So I am one of those types. It is not that I am contesting it. I firmly believe I will do ANYTHING I have to in order to make this happen. But I can't afford to see a Dr. without coverage. So it seems that I am in limbo while I am dying to push this along. I just started this topic hoping someone would suggest ways to drop the weight, or at least provide feedback that it can be done. I have been dieting ever since I got the news, but I need something serious to kick it into gear. The Dr. even suggested a liquid fast. I guess I need to find a dietitian that is covered.

 

Ah. Well liquid diets DO work, but are very difficult. I had to do liquids for 7 days before surgery, and lost 13 pounds. One thing I did in the past that DID work was the program that Suzanne Somers wrote about in her book, "Get Skinny on Fabulous Food." You are still allowed to eat, it involves how you combine your foods. Less daunting in my opinion. Do some research on your own and see what you come up with. It CAN be done. Prior to WLS I actually lost 110 pounds on my own, with WW. My problem always stemmed from making it STAY off!  Also I don't know much about Lenexa, but maybe there is a nutrionist available through the local health department?

I just found out 4 days ago,, although my insurance will cover my lap band, they STILL (insurance company) making me do a 6 month supervised diet............ grunt grunt grunt

Here we are months later and I am down 79 lbs.

But now my provider rejected me. it happened pretty fast and I am thinking it was just standard. Like they shoot everything down the first time, and I have to fight for it.

Is this the case? Any input would be great. The nurse at Tallgrass said we could appeal, so I am hoping that is all it takes. They already think I am ready for it.