Question:
Do I have to lose 30 lbs. to have the surgery?

After 42 years of smoking, I quit (cold turkey) on July 1st. Since then I have gained 11 pounds, even though I've been going to the Center for Weight Management and see a dietician and a nutritionist for the past 3 months. Will I have trouble getting approval from my insurance company because I haven't lost anything? I am so worried about this.    — DeeDiamond (posted on September 29, 2007)

September 30, 2007
It depends on whether your surgeon requires it, and if your insurance requires it. Congrats on the success of no longer smoking! Major milestone! Good luck and God bless.
   — crystalsno

September 30, 2007
The reason for the pre-surgical weight loss is to shrink your liver and make it easier for your surgeon to perform the surgery. By making the surgery easier, it reduces the risks for you. Most surgeons ask you to lose 10% of your body weight. As for your insurance, that all depends on the insurance company.
   — VickiStevens

October 1, 2007
Let's dispel two major myths. First, merely losing weight does not necessarily shrink your liver-- what shrinks your liver is greatly reducing fat intake and curtailing alcohol for 10-14 days before surgery. Arguably, you could eat a high carb, low fat diet and gain weight but end with a more supple liver. Second myth-- preoperative weight loss is not a good predictor of a post-operative weight loss and maintenance because of all the neurochemical changes that occur after RNY greatly curb hunger and promote longer-lasting satiety. However, the fact remains that (i) any weight lost before surgery means that much less weight to drop after surgery and (ii) the less obese you are at the time of surgery, the lower will be your risk of peri- an post-operative complications. Congrats on quitting smoking!
   — SteveColarossi