Losing weight before sugery?

This may sound a little silly but I don't understand this. At what weight do you need to lose weight before surgery? Why would you have to lose weight before weight loss surgery? Right now I'm currently about 380 lbs Based on your experiences do you think I would have to lose weight prior to surgery? Thanks everyone for your help! : )

Doctors have different reasons for having you lose weight before surgery.  First, some super morbidly obese people are just too heavy for the equipment - that wouldn't be you.  Second, some doctor's will set a cut-off BMI above which they say its too dangerous for you to have surgery (in other words they don't have enough experience with patients above that BMI or don't want to deal with the higher risk patients because it might make their complication rate look worse).  Its important to find a surgeon who has experience with people in higher weight categories.  The higher your weight, the more complicated the surgery and the higher your risk for clots and other post-op complications. Frequently though, no matter your starting weight, your doc will ask you to lose 10-20 lbs or 10% of your body weight because 1.  It demonstrates your seriousness and willingness to comply with post-op restrictions 2.  It helps to reduce the size of your liver.  This is very important if you are having a laparoscopic surgery because they have to move your liver out of the way to cut your stomach and they have very limited working space due to your weight.  A low carb high protein diet uses up the glycogen and some of the fat stores in your liver so it shrinks. 3.  Any amount of weight loss reduces your risk of complications - especially if you can include some exercise in your pre-op weight loss routine 4.  It prepares you mentally for the limitations you will have right after surgery - that's why a lot of people are put on a very low calorie diet or a liquid diet for a few days to weeks before surgery. Those are the main reasons.  Not all surgeons ask you to lose weight, but many do, so don't be surprised if that is ordered.  Even some of the lowest BMI people who qualify for surgery are asked to do a pre-op diet.  I was told to lose at least 40lbs to make surgery safer for me.

Okay well thanks for the info. By the way I just wanted to let you know that you look absolutly amazing and your doing great! You helped in inspiring me to go through with this surgery. Well this whole site in general helped a lot but you definitly were inspiring! Thanks

No, thank you :)  That's nice of you to say.  If you have to lose weight pre-op, don't worry, it just gets you that much closer to goal and it also makes you really appreciate how much easier it is to lose weight immediately post-op!

For exactly the reasons Jenn spoke of I needed to loose before my surgery.. My surgeon recommended 10% and had a plan to do it. If your doctor is asking you to loose a %age before your surgery, they will undoubtably help you do it..

Good Luck !!!