Question:
Pre-op Diet

My Surgeon wants me to Lose 12 pounds before he will submit the informatin for Insurance approval. Initally it was 10, But at the Nut appointment I gained 2 since I met the surgeon. Just curious why they want you to do this? It's the only thing left I have to do. I want this so bad and It's hard to lose that much, which is why I'm having the surgery in the first place. Thanks Chrissy    — chrissyinct (posted on September 21, 2008)

September 21, 2008
Hi Chrissy, My doctor told be that by loosing the weight, it would make it easier for her to access the stuff she needed to work on. Hurray for you, it is a wonderful journey so far. I've had the lap band inserted May 19th. My weight loss has been consistant. Best of luck on your journey. Mary-Anne
   — mannecote

September 21, 2008
Your surgeon wants to make sure you can follow instructions prior to surgery. There are a lot of things you must follow in your surgeon's protocol in the weeks past surgery. Also, losing wt the last few weeks prior to surgery, decreases fatty deposits on the liver, making the RNY surgery easier for the surgeon. My surgeon said the if I gained ONE POUND between the initial consult and the surgery date, surgery would be cancelled. I listened to him, and lost 17 pounds in those last 3 weeks, and had the RNY srugery. My profile story might be of interest to you. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

September 21, 2008
My surgeon wants me to lose 10 pounds. I am down 4 and he said it was because he has to go behind the liver and that is one of the fatties so when you lose it is the first place the weight comes off. Also so that you can show you follow instructions and are serious about this. Sheri
   — sheri139

September 21, 2008
My Doc. said the same corncerning the liver. My doc gave me a 3 week 1000 cal. diet I knew that I also wanted this surgery badly, for this I lost 15 pounds in that 3 week period a total of 25 pounds pre surgery It was hard but I decided that I really was going to give my all for this chance to live. You can do it think what we have been through to get to this point in our lives. I do not want to sound mean I know it is hard 10 pounds for a tool to help you live is well worth it. I am down a total of 67 lb. in 8 weeks 42 after surgery. When we have this surgery it is a given tool we have to work it every day. It will always be a commitment Best of luck Tammi
   — Tammi Sandoval

September 21, 2008
Hi Chrissy... I had my band put in on the 18th of this month. I was able to lose my 10 pounds using the Slim Fast. In the morning before I went to work, I would make an egg sandwhich, with whole wheat bread and eat half of it with one shake. I would eat the other half and shake for lunch, and then of course that "Sensible Dinner" but I was down 10 pounds the day of my surgery. You can do this. I knew that the slimfast diet was for a short time frame, but it worked. I had about a month before my surgery to lose these 10 pounds.
   — reggi_67

September 21, 2008
Hi Chrissy, I think most of us have been in your shoes as am I. In order for me to get authorization for my surgery I must attend a a 24 weeks course and commit to losing 10% of my weight prior to surgery. I am currently on week 18 and have 6 lbs left of 30 that I had to lose (I hit a plateau and was stuck between needing to lose 11-12lbs for 4 weeks and this was discouraging). I began by walking, and honestly at first I was wheezing before I got to my neighbor 2 houses away. Also, I went on a strict 1200 calorie diet and two meals/ snacks were supplemented with a protein shake I got from Costco. The first ten ounds were off in less than 30 days. The fatty liver is most likely one of the reasons the doctors want you to lose weight, but you really must try to change your eating habits prior to surgery so you are more prepared when it comes. I was also told the doctors will have me up and walking withing a few hours of surgery to avoid blood clots in the legs so walking is a good thing just to get you moving. If you can't walk, and we have people in our class who can't, they recommended "chair dancing". The key is just get moving and you will be pleasantly surprised how easily that 10 lbs will melt away... especially when the carrot dangling right in front of your nose is a "brand new you". Good Luck!
   — Mrsdoubleu

September 21, 2008
Losing weight on a liquid diet helps shrinks you liver to make it easy for them to get to the organs they need to reach. plus it clean and makes you liver healthier. Good Luck and GOD BLESS
   — LBowker

September 21, 2008
Hi Chrissy, I went on the 2 week Fat Restricted (50 grams) Diet my surgeon Dr. Roye reccomends his patients to do. He explained that if I lost 5 pounds or 10 pounds, this would make my surgery easier for him as well as for me. This will help shrink ones "fatty" liver. I lost 11 pounds and he said I was one of his easiest pateints to perform Lap RNY on! I'm 59 and just got on the scale for shits & giggles and I weighed 247... started at 265.... day of surgery (9-17-08) was 254 and now 147... wow what a trip! Losing the 12 pounds Chrissy will help you when you have your surgery... best of luck to you and God bless, Gerry
   — Gerry Smith

September 21, 2008
Hi Chrissy.... I meant to write 247, not 147.... got you all to giggling...LOL! You can do it Chrissy and like other responses, this will help you when you have your surgery! Gerry
   — Gerry Smith

September 22, 2008
The reasons for this are many. To restrict the amount of calories you are taking in so your body begins to adjust. To shrink your liver so that you are more likely to have laparoscopic rather than open surgery. To check on your committment level- if you are able to follow these pre-op instructions, you are much more likely to follow the difficult post op instructions. We all have said the same thing: "if I could lose weight on my own, I wouldn't have to have surgery in the first place". Do this, you have to. My surgeon has us stop on the way to surgery and weigh in and if we didn't lose, surgery would be cancelled. This is not optional. Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

September 22, 2008
Hi There YOU can do it... I know it sounds impossible, but I started at 501 and my dr. said i had to lose at least 50 pounds prior to surgery... I was mortified for the same reasons you state... it took me about 6 months but I lost 90 lbs prior to surgery... i did it by what my nutritionist told me to start eating half of what i normally eat... this really helped. So what I would do is either share a meal with someone or cut my sandwich in half and give it away... I also only drank sugar free drinks that helped cut back on calories also!! Oh yeah and i was swimming about 2 times a week... hope this helps!
   — NEW_HOPE

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