Question:
My surgeon want me to lose weight before surgery. My BMI is about 62 what do you

think? I feel so discouraged!    — Jill E. (posted on August 1, 2000)

August 1, 2000
That is standard practice for my doctor. He makes everyone lose weight before surgery. How much depends on what you weigh. The reason is because it shrinks your liver and makes it easier to move around it. I hear that the incision is also smaller bacause of that. It was hard, but it was my LAST diet. GOOD LUCK!!!!
   — ZZ S.

August 1, 2000
If I were you I would try and lose some. You would feel better.God Bless Shirley C.
   — [Anonymous]

August 1, 2000
I have heard of other patients who have had to lose weight before surgery and I think this is crazy! If losing weight was so easy, we wouldn't need this surgery. My doctor didn't ask such a stupid thing of me, but I understand all doctors are different. My advice if you are like I was pre-op, having a hard time controlling portions is to go on a high protien diet and stay away from sugars and carbs. This diet will allow you to eat more and still lose weight. You eat till you get full (don't snack in between) it'll come off. Good luck. Dawn 403 preop 3-7-00 319 today
   — Angelia W.

August 2, 2000
Hi, What I may suggest is tring the Richard Simmons diet. Many use it before surgery and it seems to really work. Good luck to you, and you can do it. Dri****
   — Andria S.

August 2, 2000
I have a BMI of 70. My surgeon also wants 15 to 20 lbs. He wants to be able to move my liver around. Seems livers crack and bleed and he doesn't want much blood loss. When put that way I decided I could try one last diet. I lost 10 lbs in 4 weeks and he was thrilled. Told me he didn't need to see me before the surgery again. So I'm trying hard . Most days I'm trying out some of the things I'm going to eat post op, like different soups and yogurt. But I'm still having my "farewell to fat" meals with friends and such. But right after that cheat I go right back to lots of fat free and sugar free foods. I've only lost 12 lbs but I have 42 days to go and I intend to have all the things I want to eat and still lose. So good luck, but don't sweat it , my sister was supposed to lose 25lbs before her surgery, she gained 30. That was 289lbs ago. Yep she's lost 289. It all comes off eventually. Best wishes.
   — Wendy W.

August 7, 2000
Hi Jill, I know how that feels, and discouragement is not in my life today anymore, I just did what I was asked to do, and I lost a little before my surgery, and I had a whole year to wait, so, what do you have to loose but, the weight, you will be ahead of the game, is you do so. We will all support you here. Linda
   — Linda H.