Question:
Pre-op weight loss requirements.
I have seen on different profiles where some members were required to lose a certain amount of weight before surgery. What is the reason for this. I weigh 378 now, carrying majority of my weight in my buttocks and thighs. — sexy red (posted on April 21, 2008)
April 21, 2008
— H.A.L.A B.
April 21, 2008
My understanding is that the purpose for losing weight prior to surgery is
to help the liver shrink (as it expands with weight gain and shrinks with
weight loss) so that it can provide an easier surgical process.
I was 395 prior to surgery. My personal goal was to lose 10 lbs prior to
surgery. Two weeks before, I changed my eating habits to: breakfast-bowl of
special K, lunch-protein drink, dinner-white meat & veggies of choice:
no fried, & no caffeine and I lost 10lbs in one week.
— shewill
April 21, 2008
you need to shrink your liver to make the operation easier. It also shows
the doctor that you are committeed to making a life change because that is
what it really is all about. Best of Luck
— Alvernlaw
April 21, 2008
I think some insurances require this because after the surgery you have to
adhere to a strict way of eating. They want to see if you can do this
before having the surgery. Anyway, that is my understanding. My insurance
requires a 6 month diet where I will be required to lose 5 % of my body
weight.
— [Deactivated Member]
April 21, 2008
As the three people previous stated it is to help shrink your liver before
surgery. This aids in the surgery process and is better for you. But even
more important is changing your eating habits before your surgery. If you
don't try the smaller meals and not drinking with your meals then your
going to be in for a huge shock after surgery. I thought I had it down pat
before my surgery and I was eating only three meals a day and not drinking
with my meals for five months before my surgery. It was still very
difficult to adhere to that philosophy. There's a very good reason for
having to follow such a strict plan and the more you follow it the better
off you'll be. Good Luck.
— deebunny38
April 21, 2008
wE HAVE TO SHOW AT LEAST THAT MUCH SELF DISIPLINE AND COMMITTMENT TO THE
CHANGES AND IT MAKES THE SURGERY EASIER BECAUSE IT SHRINKS DOWN THE LIVER A
BIT.
— [Deactivated Member]
April 21, 2008
I am pre-op at 377. My surgeon palpated my liver and said that he could do
the surgery at the current weight but to not gain any weight. I need to be
weighed every four weeks until my surgery to show that I am compliant. I
am practicing the eating/drinking changes and I cut cheese out of my diet
and am cutting back on other fats, avoiding caffeine because I really
notice the increase in appetite from it, and doing my best to stay away
from concentrated sugars. It seems easier because I know now that there is
some hope of it paying off. Good luck.
Laura
— waterlover
April 21, 2008
I think it depends on how you carry your weight. My sister and I went in
together to the same surgeon and had different requirements. I weighed 284
and he told me to lose 29 pounds. She weighed 250 and he told her to lose
14 pounds. He told me I had to lose more because I carry most of my weight
in my belly. (lucky me!) So it's not fair but the rules I must play by!
:-) The goal is to shrink your liver so it is out of the way when they use
the LAP equipment. I'm very motivated to avoid an open procedure!
— GlitterGal
April 21, 2008
I was told I had to lose 8% of my current body weight to get the surgery.
This is because they are going in with instruments that can damage your
organs and the smaller your liver the easier it is to get the band around
your stomach.
— Danielle T.
April 21, 2008
There are several reasons why losing weight before surgery is necessary.
My surgeon explained them to me. First and foremost is that losing some
weight shrinks the oversized liver and makes it easier for the Dr. to
reach the stomach, thereby making the surgery safer. Secondly, it gets the
patient's level of committment clear and obvious to the Dr. If you are
contemplating serious bariatric surgery, you must understand that change in
lifestyle is required and self control is part of that change. Being able
to lose a comparatively small percentage of the excess weight before the
surgery "tests" your level of committment to that change.
Bariatric surgery is not magic. It requires commitment and self-
discipline over the long term in order to have a successful outcome. The
tool of surgery will help, but it won't assure success in all cases. I
hope that this answers your question.
Also, in my view, it gets you off to a successful start if you can lose
some weight before. The few days surrounding the surgery will surely help
also, but this will add a significant number to the loss column.
Good luck in your journey!
Flora Metrick
— MusigalF
April 21, 2008
When they first stared to do RNY WLS in the US in 1996 they made a large 10
to 15" cut, today their are just six small incisions most 1/2"
and the largest up to 2". This aids in rapid healing and prevents
infections and a lot of other complications. However, the doctor has to
get to the top of your stomach which is under your liver, and like a duck,
we have a lot of Fat there and if that fat is not reduced, their is a
chance of liver damage and much more dificulty for the surgeon working on
your stomach and pouch. Lose the weight in advance and recover faster!
Best of success to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
April 21, 2008
One, it could be an insurance requirement that you lose a certain
percentage of your body weight before surgery. And two, it is to make the
surgery process easier so that they don't knick the liver while they are
inside. If they are inside and the liver is enlarged they may have to open
you up completely rather than do the laproscopic to eliminate knicking the
liver. You will most likely have to sign a waiver just in case they have
to open you while on the table. Don't worry start 2 weeks before on a
liquid diet and you will be fine. The liquid diet is good practice for
right after the surgery also. I am 7 weeks postop and doing well w/a 27
lb. weight loss, no complications at all.
— redlilies
April 22, 2008
According to my insurance, I will be required to lose 5% of my body weight
before being approved for the surgery. I think this has to do with proving
I can adhere to a strict way of eating. I will also be required to keep a
food diary and an exercise journal for six months. I was daunted by this at
first but then I realized it will be good practice for what will be
expected of me after the surgery.
— [Deactivated Member]
April 22, 2008
My surgeon told me that another reason is that they've found that losing
weight loosens the fat and makes it easier for them to work (and it shrinks
your liver and makes it less likely they'll have to convert a lap to an
RNY, and it's much easier to recover from a lap). I lost 50 pounds in the
5/6 months before surgery and am very glad I did - it was hard to wait to
have the surgery, but those months helped prepare me and were worth it
— Susan C.
April 22, 2008
Oops, correction to my previous answer: losing the weight makes it less
likely they have to convert from lap to open procedure
— Susan C.
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