Question:
Weight loss before surgery
My doctor wants me to lose 20-30lbs before he will preform the surgery. Is this normal? He put me on the atkins diet, but what I am afraid of is that once I do lose the weight he will refuse to do the surgery because I lost the weight on my own. I mean, if it was easy for me to lose weight I wouldn't need the surgery right? — cgardner0327 (posted on November 14, 2007)
November 14, 2007
Not to worry. Your doctor just wants you to be at the lowest possible
weight before doing surgery, because it will be safer. He won't all of a
sudden not do the surgery, because you've lost weight. As we all know (and
your surgeon too), the weight you lose before surgery would normally come
right back on if you weren't, in fact, having WLS. Believe me, your
surgeon will be SUPER HAPPY that you lost 20-30 lbs before he operates on
you. It makes his job easier, and it makes you safer. Best wishes!
— [Deactivated Member]
November 14, 2007
Yes, this is very normal!
— [Deactivated Member]
November 14, 2007
Yes it is normal, when you lose weight your liver gets smaller, it makes
the surgery easier and safer...
— dapoohster38
November 14, 2007
I have noticed quite a few people saying that they too were told to lose
some weight before surgery. I honestly thought it was so they could
monitor just how committed you are to you weight loss. I have also read
that if you begin losing weight prior to surgery, it will help to kickstart
your weight loss for better success after the surgery.
And then yes the leaner we become around our organs, but healthier the
surgery will be. I was put on the meat and veggies diet. I was allowed
meat and veggies and fat-free milk. I have successfully lost 58 lbs since
mid-July. My surgery is scheduled for December 16. I would love to lose
another 11 lbs. My goal was to be at 400 or under prior to surgery. Best
of luck and know that we are all here for you! :)
— cmbirkey
November 14, 2007
Well, actually it's something most doctors do for their patients. Like a
few other people mentioned it helps shrink the fat around the liver. When
you gain weight your liver tends to sink down. And losing just a small
amount of weight 20-30lbs gives the doctors an easier time of accessing
everything. You'll even get a jump start on feeling better about yourself!
:) Good luck!
— Zandra C.
November 14, 2007
shop for a new surgeon many dont require it. my surgeon didnt and he is the
president of the ASBS. best wishes I think its cruel.
— bob-haller
November 14, 2007
My surgery is scheduled for November 27th and after reading the posts
stating people were told to lose weight or go on liquid diets got me a
little nervous. I called my surgeons office today 3 times to verify if i
needed to diet and was told no, it is not necessary.
— shadow1102
November 14, 2007
My dr wanted me lose weight to shrink my liver and lower my bmi for less
risk with the lap rny procedure
— sonyaracene
November 14, 2007
Ridiculous. The MD I originally thought about required this hoop and
others. As for those who say the surgeon wants your liver smaller, etc.,
again, ridiculous. We are getting surgery because we haven't been able to
lose weight using conventional methods.
I, too, say shop for another doc.
— Tom Y.
November 14, 2007
It is becoming more and more normal for surgeon's to require the weight
loss, if you're doing it laparoscopically, because the weight loss shrinks
the liver, which can cause issues with they're trying to reach the stomach
with the lap tools. I had an enlarged liver, although I lost 15 pounds
prior to surgery. My surgeon had to spend an extra 1/2 hour in surgery
because of it, and had some issues, although my liver was healthy, it was
larger than normal. Also, some insurances require you to lose some weight
too, as part of the pre-requisite for surgery. They too want to make sure
you're comitted to the process of continued success after surgery. I was
upset with my first clinic as they wanted me to lose 25 pounds..and gave me
NO support in doing so. I switched surgeon's and clinics and still was
asked to lose 10-15. I accomplished this, as it's becoming more of the
norm for all surgeon's to ask for it. They go by your initial weight,
however, in deeming you a candidate for surgery. They won't refuse you if
you lose the weight. They'll commend you for it. It just means you're
very comitted to the surgery and what it takes to live your life after the
surgery. Good luck and do the best you can. It will help your recovery
like you wouldn't believe! Hugs....Cheryl
— Cheryl K.
November 14, 2007
This is typical. In fact, some docs wont do surgery unless you lose the
weight. I would not be happy about the adkins diet as I believe it to be
unhealthy and unsafe, but my doc puts his patients on a high protein
suppliment diet before surgery. Be glad he didnt make you do the liquid
diet. I know people who had to and said it tastes like vomit and you have
to drink it every day for 4 weeks!
— [Deactivated Member]
November 14, 2007
surgeons are all individuals and bring their beliefs. Honestly we are
patients, the doctor is a surgeon, but beteen us we are customers and
surgeons are a business. If surgeons who require pre surgery weight loss
find their business and $ off they will have to change their policy or find
another job. True pre surgery weight loss makes the surgeons job easier,
and probably a little safer for us. But we are MOs looking for treatment
for a killer disease.
— bob-haller
November 15, 2007
This is normal for some doctors...not all. I had 2 surgeons, the first one
didn't require me to lose any weight at all and the second surgeon that I
decided to go with asked me to lose 15 - 30 lbs, he wanted me to do
Optifast but I did it on my own and lost 13 lbs. the first week and a
half. Anyway, it will shrink the liver and make the surgery safer for you
and easier for your surgeon. I'm 2 weeks out and 36 lbs down, good luck
and God Bless.
— PAWLLA L.
November 15, 2007
I had the same question as my insurance required me to go through 3 months
of physician monitored weight loss. I asked if my insurance would refuse
the surgery because I lost weight. I was told no, that they just want to
know that you are committed and can do it. I am scheduled for surgery
November 26. Some people have to lose a certain amount of weight if they
are excessively obese so it is safe for them to have surgery. I am sure
your doctor wants this to be successful for you and your committment to
weight loss will help make it a success.
— kszczesny
November 15, 2007
Sometimes they want you to do this to shirk your liver some, my doctor
didn't ask me to lose any but I chose to lose 20 on my own before surgery.
Don't worry about it just follow your doctor's orders.
See you on the loser bench ( and what a greart bench to be on)
Gena
— mommamai
November 15, 2007
I agree with Cheryl; I am also required to lose weight - to shrink the
lives and also to show your commitment to the program. I've lost almost 21
lbs so far, and am hoping for a total of 30 preop. That makes my job postop
easier because I've had a head start, and I also feel better now with the
weight off! My surgeon is pleased with the loss; it doesn't affect my
chances of having the surgery.
— obeseforever
November 15, 2007
I think that Cheryl (above) has the BEST advice and the one most advised in
all the weight loss books I have been reading. It is true to shrink the
size of your liver (fatty) and make it more safe to do MAJOR surgery. It
also will help in showing and the beginning of your commitment to lose the
weigh. Remember the surgery is only to be a tool to guide us, not to be
totally relied upon as THE method to lose the weight! I wish I had been
asked to make such a commitment before my surgery. Things would be so much
easier now (after). Good Luck and Happy Losing!
— Toni Todd
November 15, 2007
The liver works in processing fats and alcohols-- reducing fats and
alcohols before surgery is what shrinks your liver. However, the real
issue is that be reducing (or eliminating) fats, your liver becomes much
more supple so that it can be retracted during laparoscopic surgery.
Consequently, you could gain weight (by eating low-fat bread) and have a
relatively small, supple liver. So, the
lose-weight-to-shrink-your-liver-myth has been busted.
Secondly, many studies indicate that pre-operative weight loss is the least
accurate predictor of post-operative compliance and long-term weight loss.
Why? Because there are such profound neurochemical changes that follow
RNY, a patient's post-operative ability to resist the temptations of his
(or her) food demons is significantly better.
As Bob Haller said, losing weight prior to surgery can make the surgery a
little safer-- however, there is a real danger in making people wait months
to lose their mandatory poundage as we face daily risks associated with
morbid obesity that far outweigh the risks present by surgery on a morbidly
obese person.
— SteveColarossi
November 16, 2007
As many people noted, this is almost a standard practice for many bariatric
surgeons. My insurance carrier required me to attend a 6-month weight loss
and education class that met once a week. We were required to loose 10% of
our total weight before being authorized for surgery. The surgeon then
requested that I loose another 10lbs. I know that it is hard, but
extremely worth it in the long run. Hey this just means that you are that
much closer to your goal and you have less weight to loose. Good Luck in
your journey.
— Gina C.
November 16, 2007
My doctor did not require this thank god, because I would have never got
this done. I'm 4 months out with 80 lbs gone and ten inches off my waist.
Good Luck
— John C.
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