Weight Loss before surgery

Hello All, I went to my first visit with the nutritionist and she suggested that I loose @25lbs. before surgery as well as exercise 4-5 days per weekday and plan activities on the weekend with my kids. This sounds like alot. Is there a reason why I must do this much before wls? I feel that these are things that I have done before and failed. I am fearing that I will not loose this amount. Can anyone provide me some insight to get me on a positive track? Thanks, Natalie

The heavier a patient is the for complications during surgery is higher. Also as part of criteria for insurance approval you have to have a minimum of 6 mos medically supervised diet (for most plans). Remain positive and follow the dietician suggestions. If it doesn't works then let the dietician know that this is your last resort and you need to have the surgery done. Carla

Thanks for the advice! My primary recommended Dr. Bilof but he is not covered by my insurance. He comes high recommended.

hi natalie i just read your profile -- your BMI is only 37 and they want you to lose 25 lbs?? was the nutritionist thru a WL surgeon or your own PCP?? it just sounds funny to me -- i wouldn't worry about not losing the weight -- just another card in your hand to show that you can't lose weight on your own without some type of intervention -- that's how i would look at it but that's me take care roberta

Yes, this is what she said. I will try to loose something but my theory is if I could loose that much then I would not be going through the WLS method.Thanks for the input.

Natalie~ My surgeon didn't suggest that I lose weight before surgery, but I have heard others say that it's a REQUIREMENT before they have surgery. From what I understand the doctor wants to know that you have the determination it will take after surgery to stick to your proper foods. I do know from my pre surgery class @ Hackensack University Medical Center that your chances for complications are much less if you lose weight before surgery and you make a faster recovery! I decided to do a liquid diet the week before my surgery for those 2 reasons alone. I know there are many benefits to losing before surgery, same goes with exercising. The stronger the heart muscle before surgery, the better off you are during and after surgery. It can't do anything but help. I am off to the boardwalk tonight for a nice walk... Good luck to you in your journey Michelle from Brick

Hope you enyoyed your walk!. Thanks for the advice.

Hi Natalie... My surgeon had wanted me to loose 40 lbs before surgery. I think they want to keep within your weight when they meet you and don't go on eating binges and gain the 25 lbs instead they want you to really concentrate on what you eat so you will be more prepared for the coming surgery and the weeks to follow. I do know that my surgeon had some of his patients have that "Last Supper" way to much and put on so much weight that he wouldn't operate on them. By the way he asked for 40 and I only dropped 20. But I showed him I was serious about what I wanted to do. Hope this helped. Tracie 403-353-200

Thanks!