Weight loss required for doctor but not insurance?

Hi everyone! I don't post much, this is only my second time I think. : ) However, I do read the question and answers on the Oregon forum. I have went through my insurance required nutrition counseling/physical therapy, did my labwork, taken the Legacy Obesity Institute's psych test, and am almost near pre op surgical consult time. My question is this: my insurance didn't require a weight loss for the surgery, just the counseling, etc., so I have bascially stayed the same weight for the past 3 months. This is a big deal for me, because the holidays were here AND my mom passed away 11/28. I was pretty happy that I just stayed the same, I know that at any other time in my life, I'd have gained AT LEAST 15-20 pounds!! Well, on my last nutrition consult visit, the dietician told me the doctors had a weight loss requirement....I have never heard of this....until this last visit. Is this normal? For those of you that went through Legacy Obestity Institute and Dr. Patterson's office, did you come across this?? Did any of you generally not lose/lose very little, and what did the doctor do?? I am now worried about this possible roadblock!

Hi Kristal, My insurance didn't require weight loss preop either, it was the surgeon. The weight loss preop is for your benefit though. Most surgeons do require some degree of preop weight loss. It makes the surgery easier .. makes the liver smaller and less fatty and then the surgery technically easier too. I lost 10 pounds before my surgery and probably should have lost more. My liver was very fatty and I had to have an extra incision in order to get the liver blade positioned correctly to get the liver out of the way. Rest assured that this preop weight loss is a GOOD thing and it is not meant to discourage you in any way. Try not to look at it as a roadblock but rather just a small obstacle on the path to a healthier you! Good luck to you.

I don't mind having to lose the weight, but NO ONE at the Obesity Insitute told me about it until last week and my surgical consult is suppose to be anytime. I just wish I'd have know three months ago when I started the whole process. : ) I can probably lose some weight, but I don't know that I can lose like 20 pounds in just a couple weeks!! Did your doctor just tell you to lose as much as possible, or did he have an amount in mind? If so, did you meet that goal? Thanks for your help, Kim. It is very appreciated!

Kristal, My doc actually told me at my consult that I had to lose 15 pounds. I had basically 2 months or so to lose it from consult to surgery but I was only able to lose 10 pounds. He still went ahead with surgery and was quite understanding that I'd only lost the 10 pounds .... I had also quit smoking at the same time.

Kristal, dont panic. I went thru the same thing. I was very stressed about loosing. I just tryed to eat smart and when I went in to meet with the surgon I had lost about 3 lbs. I told him that I was concerned about how long it would take me to loose 15 lbs. He told me to just eats smart. do my best and not gain any wieght. I am also going to the obesity instute and also found out on my last appointment. Just start trying to eat less and less and dont panic it will all work out. I have not had my surgery yet I see Dr jan again on the 22nd because I had a set back due to an illness. I am hoping to schedule at that time,, and hopping have I lost more weight. hang in there baby, and yes its good to loose before surgery but just eat right and walk,,

Thank you, Kelly. I have read a lot of your posts over the past six months and I know you have gone through a lot. I was so worried over the weekend. I know I can lose the weight, but in such a short time, it would not be a healthy way. Isn't the whole goal to be doing it the healthy way?? Anyhow, glad to know I am not the only one in this boat. I have did really well I thought, with the holidays and my mothers passing. Maybe I am making too much of a big deal about this? So you have had your pre-op consult and just have surgery, huh? How cool!! : )

ya I would be done allready if I had not gotten diverniticulitus. but one day at a time right. I truely understand where you are. so you have Dr Patterson, that is cool she is the best I am told. I wanted her but she was so backed up I went with Dr Jan. I like him. I am frustrated with the clinic though because they dont call back like they say then will, the schedulers are never there. I will go in on monday and hope I can get it in Feb. I have a scuba diving trip planned for April and I want to be really into recovery by then.

Yep, you're making too much out of a little thing. I was told when I met with the nurse for all of my labs that I would need to lose 10% (40 pounds +/-) before surgery. There's actually a very good reason for this. The purpose is to shrink your liver and get it out of the way for the tools during surgery. Most of us have inflamed livers that are also enlarged. If the surgeon were to nick your liver you could bleed out and die. Plain and simple. Its in your best interest to give it a try to lose weight. Some surgeons actually cancel surgeries because they feel you would have compliance issues after surgery. I haven't heard of that happening with Legacy, though. My weight loss? 1 pound. That's all. But I was taking a HUGE risk with my liver. Dr. Cagle and Dr. Dally require a three week milk diet to help shrink the liver. Ick! I just focused my time on getting as healthy as I could be pre-op. Lots of practice walking. You'll do fine. Try to lose weight since it really is in your best interest but don't be too frustrated if you don't meet goal. Lori

HI Lori! Sorry this is so late a reply...I just read your comment to my question! I am not as worried about the weight loss prior to surgery now, for some odd reason. I know what I have did to change behaviors and even if I don't see it in the scale, I know I am doing good. I completely cutout my daily coffee drinks (carmel frappacino's), significantly reduced my pop intake, eat way more veggies than I ever have, opt for lean cuts of meat and fish over steaks and other red meats, and I drink more water. My scale doesn't go up to my weight, so I am not sure if I have lost anything in the last three weeks, but I hope I have. I have an appointment on Tuesday at Legacy, so I guess I will know then!! : ) Once again, thanks! I hope you are doing well with your surgery!! : )