Question:
Has anyone had a successful surgery with a BMI of 75 or higher?

I have completed all my pre-requirements, psych eval, sleep study and H-pylori blood work and waiting to hear from my doc to set up my first consultation. My fear is that he will tell me that I need to lose weight to have wls. It has taken me so long to talk myself into having this surgery because I am a big chicken and I know I will be very disappointed if I am told to lose weight first. (I DO UNDERSTAND that it will be for my own good and safety) Has anyone experienced this big let down?    — SANDIE S. (posted on July 19, 2003)

July 18, 2003
I was at a BMI of 75.7 (5'4" and 440 pounds) at the time of my initial consult and was still at a BMI of 73.5 (427 pounds) at the time of my surgery. Now I am at a BMI of 42.5 after losing 180 pounds since my surgery a year ago this past Thursday... <p> It's interesting how different surgeons work. I had my first consult, then I had all of my tests like an Upper GI, cardiac clearance and Abdominal Ultrasound after my insurance approval. My nutritional and psych consults were scheduled at the time of my initial consult, although I was approved before I ended up getting them completed. <p> Of course, there have been bigger people than me to have the surgery and successfully - the most famous of which is Big Pete (Peter Herida), who unfortunately passed away earlier this month. But his surgery was successful and made the time he had on this Earth post-op so much more fulfilling than it had been otherwise. That's probably the same for all of us - we are living so much better lives post-op than we could before the surgery. <p> As far as pre-op weight loss, I was not told to lose any weight (I did, nonetheless), but I know that there are surgeons out there that either require you to lose x% of your weight. There are others that will not perform the surgery if you put on weight between the initial consult and the surgery...JR (open RNY 07/17/02 -180 pounds)
   — John Rushton

July 19, 2003
I'm 5'3 and weighed 462 at the time of surgery making my BMI 82. I was assigned to a high risk surgeon at the hospital I chose to go to. I'm 25 so I had age on my side...other than my size the surgeon did not forsee any other complications. I has open RNY in April and did wake up still on the vent but that was partly due to the tube being too far down my throat. I was never told to lose weight but I had lost 40lbs on my own from when I first got the information packet...a little over a year.
   — Sarahlicious

July 19, 2003
With DS, sometimes surgeons will do only the gastric reduction portion on SMO's until they lose some weight (which is easy with the smaller stomach); then they'll do the intestinal part. http://duodenalswitch.com/
   — Chris T.

July 19, 2003
I had a BMI of 72 three years ago. Went on Adkins lost 60lbs Dr did tummy tuck lost another 47lbs,then lost another 90. Gained back 30lbs I'm ready to have WLS. Some tests first then maybe next month the knife.Dr says he will try to do Lap WLS,now I'm 401.
   — John C.

July 19, 2003
I heard that going on a diet pre surgery shrinks your enlarged liver. Just eating well right before surgery will help out. I wonder if it is more important to do the diet thing before a lap vs an open? You know, if I could have dieted before, I wouldn't have needed this surgery. I surely understand why this is a souce of distress to those planning WLS. I'm sure the docs know what they are doing, but I also know I coud NOT have dieted before. I HATE the word 'diet'. I love now I can eat whatever I want, but just so little of it. Protein first is my rule of thumb and after this surgery I found I no long WANT breads or pastas. I was never a big sweet eater, but whatever I ate was in HUGE portions. This surgery was PERFECT for me. Open RNY 10/30/02 and down 175 lbs.
   — Ginger M.

July 19, 2003
Losing weight before you surgery and doing any type of exercise might be a good thing. I started out at 410 ( right now I am at 196 ), and if you start with nothing it can be rough, I did neither of these things. This surgery takes a lot out of you. I don't agree with the docs that make you lose weight first ( my opinion ) who needs the added stress ( and what does stress make most of us do ?? ) Best of luck and don't sweat it.
   — domestic G.

July 20, 2003
well, i had my gastric bypass in 1997.i weighed 450+.i now weigh 285 lbs and waiting on insurance approval for tummy tuck.my panni line is really big now so i have the surgeon's approval.i didn't have to lose weight befor my surgery.i guess different states are differnt.i live in sc.i had it really lucky.just keep the faith and pray to god and he work everything out for the good.bye and god bless.
   — edna S.