dr.garber patients,is this true?

I was just told by a patient of his that if you gain any weight before the surgery they will not let you have it. I am just wondering if this is true?
Also, did anyone have surgery with diabetes  that didnt have to have the a1c done again b4 scheduling. Dr garber told me he didnt care about aic as long as i got my numbers below 200. someone else said something different.
please help!!!!!!!

I am really not sure about that. I used Dr. Holover and they never mentioned anything about not gaining wight prior to surgery.  It is almost "normal" to put on a few pounds before surgery. We all get that "last meal syndrome" and eat everything in sight (I know I did). I would just try not to go overboard. A lot of surgeons make their patients actually diet before surgery to help reduce the size of the liver as well as to show commitment.

Good luck on your journey. Did you get a date yet?

Hugs,
Lisa

Hi,

Although I did not use Dr. Garber or anyone from his practice, I will tell you that they ALWAYS suggest to lose a few pounds before surgery (my Dr. asked me to lose between 5-10lbs) because the organ to lose weight the first & quickest is your liver and since the surgery will more than likely be done laproscopically, they want to make sure it is as small as possible in order for them not to accidently "nick" it during the procedure.  This is why y ou may hear of some doctors even asking their patients to go on a liquid diet before surgery. 

We all have been there and done that.  Just keep in mind that  you are trying to make your surgery as successful as possible by trying to maintain or lose a few before if possible.

I have heard of doctors postphoning surgery due to a tremendous weight gain.....and my doctor threatened me of this when he learned that I was going on a cruise 2 weeks prior to my scheduled surgery date.  I had lost the required 7lbs and went to see him and told him about the cruise but he explained the reasoning about the liver.  With this in mind I went on my cruise and was able to enjoy a forkful of everything but not more....I truly did not feel denied at all.  I also utilized the exercise room as well and came home from the cruise having lost yet another pound!

Try to keep the visual of a larger liver been a harm to you during surgery.....it worked for me and I hope it helps for you!

Good luck to you!

I just had my surgery with Dr. Holover 1 month ago. He is Dr. Garber's partner. I gained weight before my surgery. They told me to try and lose it, but it did not hold up my surgery.

thanks everyone....i have not gained any weight other then my normal 7 up or down on any given day...i was just curious about this rule. I emailed dr garber about this and he got back to me that you have to have bmi of 35 to have surgery but i think he misunderstood my question bc i think the 35 is the lowest the BMI can be to have surgery.
thanks again.
tara

Im a Dr. Holover patient but when I went for surgery in 2005 and my insurance backed out at the last minute. i had to see that Nutritionist lady (I cant for the life of me remember her name sorry) for six months of supervised dieting and I ended up gaining 30 lbs, that summer i had the surgery. They tell you that, because they dont want you to gain more weight and give your body and more unneeded stress prior to surgery. Any kind of surgery is stressful to the body, but the heavier the worse it is. Dont worry too much about it, but be conscious that it would be better for your health during the surgery not to gain.