Pre-Surgery Weight Loss

I have a question. It appears that when you go through Henry Ford it is common practice for the surgeon to want you to lose weight before your surgery, which I understand. My question is, should I start losing now or should I wait until my consultation with the surgeon to begin losing? My only fear is that because I have such a hard time losing weight, that I will lose some..go to the consult and have him not take what I've just lost into consideration...ask me to lose more...and have me not able to do it. If I start keeping a journal and tracking my weight now will they consider that or not? I just don't know if there is something I can be doing to prepare now. My Nutritional consult is May 2nd and I was told I would set up my surgical consult at that time.. Any advice you guys have on this would be helpful. I don't want to "jump the gun" and then get myself into a more difficult situation, but if I can start doing something now, I would. what do ya think?

I went to Henry Ford and I started trying to lose weight before I had my nursing consultation. They did take that into consideration and applauded the fact. I had the same fear as I only had about 110 lbs to lose. Good luck! My daughter has just started the journey of wls and plans to go to Henry Ford. Nan Do you know about what the time frame is for scheduling surgery? I was very lucky when I went because they had just hired Dr. Carlin so I didn't have to wait that long. I just want to give my daughter an idea of how long her wait will be. Thanks!

I waited until my consult with Dr. Genaw to start losing weight. I know part of it was getting my 'last meals' in . I had to lose 10-15lbs (I ended up losing 25). A word of advice - get to the 4 hour consult early. You want to be one of the first ones there because Wanda sets up the consult appointments with Dr. Genaw & Carlin in a 'first come, first served' basis. So, if you're one of the first to check in, you can get one of the first appointments. I made the mistake and was one of the lasts and had to wait 3 weeks for my first consult. Good luck to you! You are in excellent hands!! Nicole -195lbs!

Why not call and ask? Call the office and ask if they will consider any pre-consult weight loss when they determine what you need to lose pre-op. Best of luck to you Kim! I am just so thrilled for you and wish I were able to be there right along side of you....hopefully soon.

Kim They will not count what you lose before your first consult with the surgeon. I lost 22 pound's before I saw my surgeon, even though it was in my medical records, and I was told by my insurance to start losing weight~ THEY WOULD NOT COUNT IT TOWARD MY SURGEON ADVISED WEIGHT LOSS. They tell you what to lose from your first weigh in with them. Best wishes. God bless you, Annette

But Annette, even though they may not count it towards the total they want you to lose, I would think that if you had lost some pre-consult that you would maybe need to lose less preop? In other words, maybe they would say, "You need to lose 30 pounds." But if you've already lost 15, maybe they would say you only need to lose 15, for a grand total of 30 lost preop? Do you know what I mean? Its my understanding that the amount of weight you need to lose is based upon 1) your actual weight and 2) how you carry that weight. So if you go in a few pounds lighter than you were in the preceding months, it certainly can't hurt you, right? I dunno...Im still waiting to get this far and now Im babbling.

Hi Colleen, I am all for losing weight pre-op, That help's with the adjustment post-op. They just don't count what you lose prior to seeing them, towards what they want you to lose. What you weigh, how you carry your weight, what your measurement's are around your waist (stomach), and your B.M.I. all play a key role in how much you are told to lose. Some only people only have to lose 5 pounds, some 15, some 30. I know 2 people that had to lose 50 (both men). It dosen't matter how much weight you lose before seeing them, everyone is told to lose a certain amount of weight from their first appointment until the final weigh in the Wednesday before surgery. I hope this cleared up any confussion, and not added to it God bless you, Annette

My surgeon was Dr. Tomita at Owosso Memorial and they had me lose 10%. They weighed me and I then had to lose 10% of that weight. So if you lose some now I bet they won't take that into consideration. I would just wait until you do your 1st weigh in and talk to the surgeon. Good luck! Kristin