Question:
Should I TRY to loose weight before my surgery?
I have 2 months before I have surgery and I am over 300 lbs. I was wondering if I should try to loose some weight before the operations. Now I know the reason that I am having this surgery is because I have'nt been able to loose weight in the past, but I thought that even 10 lbs might help. Does anyone have any suggestion. I am really new at this and need lots of advice. — TERESA G. (posted on May 25, 2003)
May 25, 2003
I think trying to develop Post Op eating habits..like protein drinks, high
protein foods, drinking lots of water, chewing slowly etc. would be the
most helpful, regardless of whether or not you will lose weight. I GAINED
weight before surgery! HA! Good luck!
— rpoepke
May 25, 2003
Teresa, I think your reasoning is right on. I went on Weight Watchers
three weeks ago to try to lose as much weight as possible pre-op. I'm more
motivated than I've ever been in the past because I know that very soon
I'll be looking at the prospect of permanent weight loss! I've lost 10.2
lbs. so far and I feel great, because the less weight we have to lose
post-op, the better.
— Leni M.
May 25, 2003
I've gone to a couple of WLS seminars and at each one the surgeons have
recommended that their patients lose weight before surgery. Weight loss
prior to surgery helps the fat leave the liver making the surgery easier
for the surgeon and you. Weight loss is only going to help you prior to
surgery ... so yes, please do what you can to lose some weight. Also do
exercise too as that will help your lungs which will help you during
surgery too.
— [Deactivated Member]
May 25, 2003
Whatever weight you take off before surgery is that much less you have to
lose after - so go for it!!! It also should help make your recovery a
little easier because there is less of you to move around. I'd be careful
of doing some drastic diet as you want to be in the best possible health
for surgery, so do a reasonable volume reduction and try and increase
exercise which are all good long-term habits. Most people who are MO or
larger typically have been able to lose weight but keeping it off has been
the challenge. Well the surgery will take care of that. Whatever you lose
before surgery you won't likely ever see again. If you work the tool right
after surgery you won't ever see the great majority of the weight you lose
both pre and post-op.
<p>My surgeon puts his patients on a protein and veggie only diet the
2 weeks before surgery to shrink the liver. For me it meant I also lost 21
lbs, which was great. I count it in my weight loss as it was all part of
the WLS process. At 16 weeks I am down a minimum of 95 lbs (including the
21) and likely over 100 lbs. lost now. I haven't weighed for 2 weeks since
I saw the surgeon last. I still have somewhere between 100-160 lbs to go
but I am half way to my initial goal to be anywhere under 250 lbs.
Weighing 242 lbs will be a 200 lb loss. I feel like I can actually see
that weight coming. It doesn't seem so far away now. It truly seems
attainable.
— zoedogcbr
May 26, 2003
Absolutely! I'm still pre-op, but I have a very specific plan in mind as
my surgery date nears. I want to do this because I know it will help make
sure my surgery is successful, will limit complications, and will make for
a faster recovery time. First of all, my nutritionist requires me to be on
the liquid post-op diet for a few days before surgery. I don't know what
my surgeon will require, but I'll do whatever the max is between the two of
them. I also plan on following a moderate protein, low fat, low carb diet
in the 3 months before surgery. I also plan on strengthening my abs,
walking so I can reduce the possibility of blood clots, and practice deep
breathing to reduce the possibility of pneumonia. I think anyone
considering major surgery such as this should do whatever they can to make
sure they come out the other side as healthy as possible. To not do so, in
my humble opinion, means you're not ready for the surgery.
— antiques55
May 26, 2003
Do it, Teresa! Any weight you lose now is weight you won't have to lose
after surgery, which means you'll get to goal faster. On the other hand,
if you take these two months and fill them with last suppers, you'll
probably gain, and then it'll take longer to get to goal later. And don't
get caught up eating junk based on the belief you'll "never be able to
eat" certain foods ... several months down the road as a post-op, you
WILL be able to eat virtually everything, just in smaller amounts (and
bigger amounts are out, permanently, if you want to keep your weight off).
If you feel motivated to lose now, as a pre-op, because your chances of
keeping it off are now greatly increased due to surgery, then go for it!
Good luck.
— Suzy C.
May 26, 2003
Ok.. I have a different take on this... yes, if you WANT to.. of course,
lose weight.. but within reason.. I wouldn't deny yourself foods you really
love. I didn't and I didn't gain a ton of weight between my appointments
and surgery (two months) I gained about 2 pounds... considering I didn't
deny myself much.. I was ok with that. I did try to start walking though,
and get some regular exercise. I would REALLY suggest that... but don't
stress.. ok? Start moving.. walking.. swimming anything. Good luck..
plenty of time to diet...
— Lisa C.
May 26, 2003
This is Teresa, I just want to thank you guys for all your advise.
Everyone gave me something that I can use toward my goal. I'm just so
excited that I have found this web-site. Lots of love to everyone that
responded and may God bless you too........Teresa Gash
— TERESA G.
May 27, 2003
I had my consult on April 18. My doctor told me to try and lose a little
weight before surgery. He wants me to do this just to shrink my liver. He
said even 5 to 10 pounds will help. He is going to try my surgery with the
lap. If the liver is enlarged and in the way he will have to open me up.
— Cameron Van Winkle
Click Here to Return