REQUIRING BMI # BEFORE SURGERY?

Hi all,

Continuing to got through hoops, meeting with surgeon next week, just curious - do most surgeons require that you drop your bmi level to a certain place before surgery?

I am 350 with a 60 BMI, so I know its possible...

Maria

Most DS surgeons do not require preop diets, THANK GOD!!!!!

Scott

I know some do..my surgeon, thankfully, did not.

Mine didn't. But I have heard of some people having to loose 100 pounds before the surgeon will proceed with the operation.

The higher the BMI the greater the risk and the more difficult doing the surgery laproscopically.  Some surgeons, therefore, have a maximum BMI for their patients.  This is actually a good thing as it shows the surgeon knows his/her limits for success. 

My BMI was around 66, so my surgeon told me in advance that he might have to go the open route instead of the lap.  I also had to do the liquid diet for two weeks instead of just one.  And he routinely had the larger BMI patients spend the first night in intensive care rather than in their own room for closer monitering.  All went well for me and I've not had a bit of problems.

Thanks for the reply!  Sally- I am curious - was there a weight or BMI number the surgeon wanted you to be at?

No, he didn't have a set goal for either.  I know he has done the surgery on people larger than I was.  He is very strict though about patients not gaining more than 5 lbs. between the first "official" weigh-in and surgery.  He's had some patients put on significant weight--the last meal syndrome.  If you do gain more than 5, he won't do the surgery.  He figures if you aren't serious before hand, you won't be compliant afterwards.

It all depends on your surgeon. Many more these days do surgery on those of us with very high BMI's. I was one of the highest BMI patients back when I had the original surgery. Best wishes to you!

I have not heard of a dr requiring a certain bmi, but i have heard some have weight limits and some that require a preop diet to lose weight before surgery.

For insurance purposes I had to go on a 6 month dr supv diet. That helped me lose weight. My bmi was over 90 at the time i had my surgery and that was with me losing weight before hand. I also looked for a surgeon that had more experience with high bmi patients and a good success rate. So I was technically on a diet for 9 months prior to having my surgery.

You might want to research and see what different surgeons in your area specialize in, i'm sure the meeting with your current surgeon will answer most of your questions. Don't be afraid to look around or get a second opinion.

Good luck!

I had a BMI of 63.3 when I started out.. my surgeon was not as concerned with the BMI as he was my liver being so large.. it was gigantic.. he sent me to a nutritionist and put me on a preop diet for the 6 months I was being dr. supervised.. I really lost on the diet.. and he was so happy he told me that if I got my BMI below 50 it would decrease my risks by 50%.. that is a lot.. so I really worked on it.. then I lost him as a surgeon and had to choose a new doctor.. he told me I didnt have to loose any weight that he does surgery on patients up to 450lbs and only cuts off there because of the table restrictions in the surgery room.. but I could not get the previous surgeons words out of my head, so I continued to diet and lost 67lbs had my BMI down to 49.3 the morning of surgery.. my liver was almost normal size  and I had no edema at all.. after the surgery was over the surgeon told me I made the surgery so much easier for him and that I had much less risks of complications .. but he didnt tell me that before the surgery..  so take that all in  and do yourself a favor.. try to get as much off as possible before the surgery and make things better and safer for you.. if that dont happen don't worry because there are many doctors now who do high BMI surgeries on a daily basis.. I will pray for you that you do find a good surgeon and get the right answers for yourself.. listen to your surgeon..but  if he is not comfortable with your BMi and you dont think you can loose the weight then search for a different doctor.. but if you think you can do it then try and I am sure you will not be sorry..

Huggs....