Question:
Has anyone out ther been turned down because you didn't lose the amount of weight the

surgeon said to before he would do your surgery?    — Jill E. (posted on August 16, 2000)

August 17, 2000
My surgeon had no such requirements of his patients, and he is an internationally known expert and one of the founders of the lap RNY approach. My personal opinion, for what it's worth, is that this is an absurd requirement for any bariatric surgeon to make of any patient who has struggled with morbid obesity over a period of years or a virtual lifetime. All of us have proven over and over again that we can lose weight. That is not the issue at all. The issue is, that for many of us, we are genetically predisposed to obesity and/or have proven repeated failures at weight loss maintainence for a multiplicity of reasons. To require patients to demonstrate pre-op weight loss as some type of "proof of proper motivation" is only slightly short of sadistic. I suggest that you research all your available options in the field of bariatric surgeons. I can assure you that there are many excellent, compassionate, caring, and informed professionals in this field that will not exact this requirement of you.
   — Diana T.

October 28, 2000
I was told to lose 30 pounds. The reason being is that my doctor preferred to do the lap if possible. In the meantime, I gained 10 pounds. Result- I am having an open procedure on November 6th. No big deal. Good Luck!
   — mrs.qtip

October 28, 2000
My surgeon was one of the one's that INSISTED that you take of weight prior to surgery. He schedules 3 office visits, one each month for 3 months and at each visit you are weighed and EXPECTED to have lost at least a FEW LBS. If you do not, he will not consider you as a likely candidate for the WLS. When I first heard this from him, I was furious!! In fact, I went looking for an other surgeon. I just knew I could't take off any weight!! The nerve of him!! Why in the heck would I be in his office asking for WLS if I could do it myself, I thought?? A year later, I still had not gotten the WLS. The other surgeon I went to see wouldn't take my insurance as pmt. So, I went home and decided that I guess I'd never get the surgery! I sat at home for MONTHS AND ATE!! I was so mad, frustrated and everything else. I felt hopeless and helpless! Finally, after many months, I reluctantly went back to the original surgeon that said I HAD TO LOSE WT prior to surgery. I guess I came to the conclusion, finally that I really wanted/needed the surgery and if he was the only one that would do it under my insurance, or self pay, that I'd better make a serious attempt to do as he wanted! Today, I am over 3 mo. post op and have lost 30 lbs pre op (thanks to the surgeon!) and 78 lbs post op. A total of 107 lbs!! I can now see his reason for insisting on this. He wants to know that the potential patient is SERIOUS and can display some ability for SELF DISCIPLINE after surgery by taking off at least a few lbs each visit pre op. Yes, I know it feels almost impossible to do this, but I sincerely believe, NOW, that if you truly want the surgery that you will do your very best to go to ANY LENGTH to make it possible. (please, no flaming). I went home and made up my mind I WAS GOING TO DO IT. I bought fish, chicken, turkey, and lots of veggies and fruit plus I had a "Slim Fast" for lunch each day. I drank lots of water, also. To be honest, I was never hungry! Eating all the veggies that you want is very filling a low in calories. I'd load my plate at dinner w/ veggies and fish and a salad. In the evening, I'd have a few pretzels w/ a LITTLE low fat cheese, if I was hungry. In a little over 2 months time, I lost THIRTY POUNDS pre op!!! It really helped also w/ the surgery and w/ my total wt loss post op. I am now glad that I gave myself a head start in my wt loss. The surgeon was RIGHT TOO ABOUT THE SELF DISCIPLINE that is required post op. The WLS is only a TOOL that we get. We do indeed need to also develop a sense of self discipline in our eating and exercising habits, post op if we are to have long term weight loss success. So, if your surgeon insists on some wt loss prior to surgery, please think about it and try to realize, maybe what he/she is trying to say, is what my own surgeon was saying. As angry as it makes you feel, "bite the bullet" and go for it!! YOU CAN DO IT. WILLINGNESS is the KEY.
   — kathy S.

May 25, 2001
The surgeon is not playing games. If you think he is you either need to educate yourself or get another surgeon. The reason the weight loss is suggested is for your own good. If you are to have the lap procedure done, recent weight loss makes the operation more feisable and safe. The weight loss request has to due with fat around the liver and organ that must be manuvered around during a LAP procedure. Recent weight loss is seen first in this area of the body. Your surgeon is not playing games but trying to insure a good result for you and not having to do an Open procedure instead of the more favorable LAP procedure as extra fat in the abdomen area can make a LAP not appropriate as the instruments to the the LAP can only reach so far. Also the weight loss is likely to make your recovery quicker and easier. This is their experience having done many surgeries that this recomendation is favorable. GOod luck with your journey
   — [Anonymous]

June 21, 2001
If I were you, I would walk, not run to a new surgeon. This is just plain ridiculous. If we could lose it on our own, don't they think we would have done that already. If he can't do the lap due to your weight, then he can do the open. My surgeon doesn't like to do the lap on people over a certain weight. He also questions the patients reasons for wanting lap surgery. The way he explains it is that lap surgery can have just as many problems as open. The other posters are correct in that this is just a tool, but the tool will make it easier to stay on a diet so to speak, because you won't be able to eat as much.
   — Terry H.