Question:
Why do some doctors require this?

I have read several references to some of you having to lose 10% of your desired weight loss. Why is that? My doctor doesn't require it, but I am just curious as to why you have to begin losing weight beofre surgery.    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on August 18, 2002)

August 18, 2002
I think this is required for severely obese patients, to make the surgery itself less of a risk. Obese patients are very high risk for any kind of surgery.
   — Kathy C.

August 18, 2002
I THINK THE REASON WHY SOME DR.'S WANT YOU TO LOSE WEIGHT BEFORE YOUR SURGERY IS TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF YOUR KIDNEY, MOST OFTEN IF YOU HAVE IT DONE LAP BECAUSE THE KIDNEY IS A LARGE ORGAN IN FRONT OF THE STOMACH AND IF YOU DIET AND LOSE WIGHT THIS REDUCES THE KIDNEYS SIZE AND HELPS THE DR. TO BE ABLE TO SEE YOUR STOMACH CLEARER! OK THIS IS ONLY MY 2 CENTS, I HAVE LEARNED THIS BY READING THIS SIGHT!
   — CYNDI B.

August 18, 2002
Some doctors require it to check compliance...to see if you have what it takes to live life as a postie, so to speak. And yes, also to reduce the size of the liver (sorry Cyndi, not the kidney...kidneys are located down near hip area)...but the liver is right in front of the stomach...and obese persons tend to have very fatty livers. Hope this helps...Have a Sparkling Day!! ~CAE~
   — Mustang

August 18, 2002
My doctor requires this because as he states: As obese people our liver is "dripping with fat". Losing weight shrinks the liver and makes getting around the liver and area easier and requires smaller incsions. My doc's incisions are only 3-5 inches on open RNY.
   — ZZ S.

August 18, 2002
I asked my doctor this, he said he thought it was a ridiculous requirement. He said, "If you are 150 pounds overweight pre-op, it means the same thing in terms of surgery as if you are 165 pounds overweight pre-op." He also mentioned that if we had been able to drop weight on command we likely wouldn't need surgery. He specializes, however, in lap surgery -- so that may be why he doesn't require it. My guess is that for all the talk about shrinking your liver, it really is to see if you can live as a postie....but then again, I'm not a doctor, so what do I know?
   — Tamara K.