Question Re: Pre Op Weight Loss

Is it typical for the surgeon to ask you to lose weight before the surgery can be scheduled?  I heard from a few people that it was a requirement.  As I have mentioned earlier, I have my consult with my surgeon this Wednesday (3/17/10).  I had to meet monthly with my PCP for 6 months (whi*****luded losing some weight) before I got my insurance approval.  I'm just trying to anticipate any potential delays that may develop.  

Yes my Dr required a 20pound loss before surgery so it will shrink the liver and make surgery alot easier. Everyone is different and so are the Dr's. I was on a 4 week liquid diet but most that I know only had to do 2 weeks. those weeks made it easy to lose the pounds. Good luck and we all are here to help you through all of this. Soon we will be moving over one the loser bench for you.

As Michelle said, it is different depending upon your surgeon. Most do not require a set amount of loss, but some do. I believe that most of them just require you to do the pre-op liquid diet, which should result in weightloss. My surgeon required a 3 day liquid diet. Sometimes it is based on your BMI too, if they feel you need to bring it down before they operate for safety.
Usually it is about shrinking the liver so that it is not in the way during the procedure.

So... I guess you will just have to see what your surgeon requires of you. But at least you are getting some ideas on how different surgeon "operate"... PUN intended..lol
Best of luck at your appt and be sure to share with us what your surgeon will require.

mine required some weight loss, but didn't give me an exact figure.  i lost about 30 or 35 pounds though (i think).  good luck to you. vick

I am on my 2 week liquid diet now, wasnt told how much to lose, but to lose some. I can have HMR shakes, chicken broth, water, watered down juice, and I am allowed to eat some fruit.
Different surgeons have different rules.
Hope you have a good consult, my surgery date was set already when I went for mine.

Yesterday I had my consultation as well.  I too have to do a 6 month weight loss.  A large part of this process is for the insurance companies.  They need to see that you have made an attempt to lose.  As others have said, when you get closer to the time for your surgery, you will have to alter your diet drastically to prepare.  I am grateful for the this 6 months.  Being this is a lifestyle change, I am looking at this time as one where I can re-train my brain.  I am praying that post-op this will make my transition a lot easier to deal with.

I too was required to meet for 6 months with a dietitian to get on track.  I asked numerous times how much weight are they looking for you to loose.  There was no answer.  I did not loose allot its just 11 pounds so far but it has been continuous and I was told that is what they were looking for.  The only thing that I had to do for the DR was too only eat 3 meals a day. No snacking.  I had to give up soda and caffeine.  They are not thing I had to have to survive.  Next Thursday is my 6Th month. My Dr said they will schedule the surgery and get things submitted to the insurance.  They said they have had approvals as soon as 6 hours and as long as 6 weeks.  I'm praying for the first!!!!.  Whatever you do you have to do it for you. No one can do it for you.  You have to want it.