WHY ..........

HI GUYS, I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION FOR THE GROUP. I WAS TOLD TO LOSE WEIGHT BEFORE SURGERY BECAUSE IT WILL HELP WITH MY SURGERY. I ALSO HEARD THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH ENLARGE LIVER IF YOU HAVEN'T LOST WEIGHT. MY QUESTION IS WHY DO SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO LOSE WEIGHT AND OTHER DON'T IF IT'S GOING TO MAKE THE SURGERY BETTER WHY NOT ALL THE DOCTORS TELL ALL PATIENT TO LOSE WEIGHT UPON WLS. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T HAD TO LOSE WEIGHT AT ALL JUST HAD TO GO ON A LIQUARD DIET PRIOR TO SURGERY. AND I ALSO READ THIS GIRLS BIO THAT WHEN THEY WERE DOING LAP RNY THEY HAD TO DO OPEN BECAUSE WHEN THEY WENT IN HER LIVER WAS ENLARGED, WAS THAT DUE TO NOT LOSING WEIGHT? THANKS GUYS, TRACEY

Hi Tracey, I can't speak for every doctor or for their reasons. I just know that the bariatric center I go to does require some weight loss prior to surgery. Surgery in any person is a risk, but for the morbidly obese is it always a higher risk. That in itself is reason to try to lose weight prior to surgery. However, a lot of morbidly obese people also have large or fatty livers which can make laparoscopic surgery more challenging or sometimes impossible. Another reason the clinic I go to requires some weight loss is that it shows a commitment on my part to make lifestyle and lifetime changes. Just by chewing 20-30 times, waiting betweens bites, and eating protien first, veggies and fruits next and complex carbs last, you will lose weight, especially if you make wise choices in your food. And this is something that will have to be done forever after the surgery, so they are just preparing us for it prior. Why some doctors don't require weightloss prior, I can't answer that one. Maybe someone who has been to clinics where they don't can answer that. I guess it depends on the program that is involved at the particular clinic/doctor's office. I hope this helps answer your questions, and I hope there others who might add more. Take care, Debra Surgery Scheduled 6/13/05, Dr. Howard Simon

Hi Tacey, I do not know why some doctors do not recommend losing weight before surgery. I think it makes sense also in showing that we are committed. Most things I have read suggest that most doctors do recommend losing weight prior to surgery. My doctor said he would not perform surgery on anyone who was more than what they first weighed in at his office and that even losing only a few lbs was beneficial. God bless you and keep you, ~Andrea

My doctor suggested I lose 10 lbs before surgery, mostly to help my breathing, but she didn't require it. She did say she didn't want me gaining weight. I ended up not losing the weight and so far (5 weeks out) I haven't had any complications. I think it might be a personal preference thing for some surgeons. Partly a question of how comfortable they are working around in that small space.