Question:
Will my surgeon cancel my surgery if I lose too much weight pre-op?

Hi all, I had my consult with my surgeon on January 15th. At the time I weighed 305 lbs (I am 5'11") and my surgeon recommended that I try to lose some weight before surgery. But he didn't say how much weight to lose. As of today I weigh 284 (lost 21 pounds). My BMI is now under 40. I am doing pretty good and on one hand I would like to see how much more I can lose before surgery. But on the other hand I am afraid that I'll lose 40 or 50 pounds and when I go back in they will say "You're doing good, you don't need this surgery" or "you're not heavy enough anymore". I certainly don't want that to happen. Even if I did lose 50 pounds, I've had enough dieting experience to know that it's only temporary and without WLS, eventually I'll gain it all back and then some. Should I try to lose as much as I can or should I play it safe and try not to lose any more than about 25 pounds pre-op?? Thanks for your advice..    — Mike F. (posted on March 1, 2004)

February 29, 2004
I lost 40 pounds before surgery which put me below a BMI of 40 and only approximately 90 pounds to lose. It was not an issue. Insurance approved on the initial statistics. Like you, I wanted to lose as much as possible beforehand and did very well with it. My surgeon was pleased and he realized that I had done that many times before but never managed to keep the weight off. The more you lose now, the less you will have to lose afterward and you will already have started developing the habits you will have to maintain the rest of your life.
   —  SCbabe B.

February 29, 2004
I had the same fears as I lost 36 and thought what if doctor says I can do this on my own..He was just thrilled I had lost the weight and it was so beneficial to my recovery I feel. I didnt mourn the loss of food so bad either because I had already started on a healthier way to eat.My advice would be to keep at it and get in as good of shape as possible for this surgery..Best of luck to you. Its nice *on the other side* believe me .
   — Kathy S.

February 29, 2004
Hi Mike I'm in the boat. When I went to my consultation and asked the care cordinator the same question and she said they go by the first weight in. Save yourself the worry and ask. I spent a whole month worrying for nothing. My surgery is on April 5th (hopefully) and I have decided to drink my water,exercise, eat some of the foods I am going to be eating after surgery,and getting as healthy as posible. If you have already got your approval from insurance CALL YOUR DOCTORS OFFICE AND ASK. I think you will be relieved. I really was stressed and worried sick before even seeing the doctor. Good Luck E-mail me for more info.
   — linda T.

March 1, 2004
I lost 20 pounds before surgery. My doctor would not do surgery if you gained any weight. He really scared me into losing as much as I could. He told me that since the surgery was approved on my earlier visit - not too worry. I think it was really beneficial and helped me afterwards. I then ate everything in sight before surgery without having to worry about gaining! I was literally "sick" of food! Good luck!
   — carol18

March 1, 2004
I'd call the surgeon's office and ask them. My BMI was 42 when I did my consult and was approved, and in the two months between that time and my surgery, I lost 12 pounds, bringing my BMI to 40 *on the nose*. Actually, that happened in the first month after the consult, but when I had my pre-op appointment at about that time, my surgeon told me not to lose any more weight, or I might lose insurance coverage. (So, I didn't, and stayed the same for the next month until my surgery.) Like you, I had no doubt I could lose more but, without the surgery, knew I'd gain it back and then some (always had before).<P>If you're thinking you might lose as much as another 40-50 pounds AND you're already below the 40 BMI point, it might not be just an insurance issue, it might also be a medical issue, if you show up that "light" for surgery. So, I'd definitely ask your surgeon.<P>A good compromise might be working out and building muscle without losing much more -- that way, you'll be stronger for surgery, without getting too light (however temporarily) to have it.
   — Suzy C.

March 1, 2004
Well it took me a year to get approval and in that time I had lost 30+ lbs making my BMI around 36. I had a new insurance comp. but I used last years info for approval. Then when I went to the doc. I was worried he would say I didn't need it~ but he didn't....I even confessed that I had been trying to gain weight the entire wk before because I was worried he wouldn't do it and he's like don't do that I'll still do it. Once your ins. approves you they don't get updated w/your weight before surgery so your ok as long as your doc. will still do it.
   — Snowflake48342

March 1, 2004
My surgeon told me that my weight on the first visit was my "official weight". Losing weight in the meantime would not be an issue. Good luck on your journey!
   — Linda S.