Question:
I was told the wls surgeon I chose requires weight loss pre-op.

I heard it decreases surgical problems. I am trying to lose because I have a consult next month. Has anyone tried Weight Watchers followed the system exercised regularly, yet gained weight. Has anyone had to lose weight to have surgery? If so how much? If unable to lose does it effect qualifying for wls?    — M M. (posted on February 13, 2003)


February 13, 2003
I would pick a different surgeon. I think this requiremnent is cruel and although loosing is a good idea my surgen doesnt require it.
   — bob-haller

February 13, 2003
Hi sometimes surgeons do this if the patient has a fatty liver, because even a small amount of weight loss can decrease the size of the liver, and make it easier for them to move around inside. I don't think they mean it as a cruelty, but more to better the surgical experience/technique. Even 10 pounds can make a difference! Take care and best wishes!
   — majorcat

February 13, 2003
If you haven't seen the dr yet they might not count the weight you are losing now. You might want to call the office and find out exactly what his/her policy is. If there is a recommendation or is it a *requirement*? I did lose 5 lbs before surgery and I'm sure that eating right and exercising in the weeks before surgery helped my healing. My doctor would have cancelled for anything over a 5 lb gain but didn't require a loss. I consulted with one doctor who required a 10 percent loss even though I was just at 40 BMI. I am 5 weeks postop and have just lost 10 percent (I am an extremely slow loser) so I don't know how long it would have taken me preop (months!!!). Besides, after losing 10 percent I would not have qualified for the surgery any longer. Although that's an insurance issue (mainly) I don't think that I should have been having surgery if I could have lost that 10 percent that easily or if my BMI was that low. If you have not yet had your consultation and your dr's office has not weighed you yet, you might want to wait to lose any weight. In the meantime, you can call the office and speak to the nurse coordinator and find out exactly what the policy is and then you will have a better idea of how to proceed.
   — susanje

February 13, 2003
As cruel as it sounds, many doctors do require pre surgery weight loss and it really is for your own benefit. My doctor threatened to cancel surgery on my recent visit if I did not lose the weight he requires before my surgery in April. I know it's easy to think "well if I could lose it, I wouldn't be having surgery", but they are only asking us to lose a few pounds in comparison to the many pounds we need to lose. The bottom line is that this requirement is for our benefit. It decreases the size of your liver making surgery easier. It also increases your lung capacity as you most likely will increase exercise in order to lose the weight. As Iris said, the key is to increase protein, decrease carbs and drink water, more water and still more water. Good luck on your journey!
   — Martha K.

February 13, 2003
Hi there- I was required to do a 1000 calorie low fat diet for 2 weeks before surgery. It stunk at first but needing to do it for a speedier and safer surgery was very motivating. After a few days it became much easier. I don't know what dieting beyond 2 weeks would be required for. I had lap surgery and the diet was to shrink the fat from my liver and the doctor said that my 11 pound weight loss before surgery made his job very easy. My surgery took 1 hour and 10 minutes! I would not understand having to lose weight for open surgery though, that does seem like some kind of weird test of your will.
   — Carol S.

February 14, 2003
My Dr Requires 10% of your excess weight, so an average of 20 pounds. Everyone complains and say's they can't do it, but when it comes right down to it...they can. He will and has canceled surgery if a person hasn't lost the weight. It is because it shrinks the liver, which is the first thing to lose fat when we diet, making an easier access and safer surgery. Anything will work as we know we can lose weight for a short period of time, its the keeping it off that is so hard. I did the Atkins, which for a short time is great. Good Luck!
   — ZZ S.

February 14, 2003
I don't know yet if my surgeon requires it, however, the do tell you to up your protein to speed in recovery and I am definitely going to start an exercise regimen. I'm going to my local Curves on Monday. I want to be in the best shape possible in my current condition for the surgery. I don't care if I loose weight or not, however, I don't want to gain anymore and need better stamina. Good luck!!! mk
   — Michelle K.

February 14, 2003
Hi M, My surgeon did require some weight loss prior to even considering me for surgery. He told me to eat three small meals of high protein, low carb, low fat foods each day and to get in all the water I could and to exercise. Now I did not exercise because at my size then even walking was a challenge. I didn't necessarily eat small meals either. But I did stick to the high protein, few snacks and when I went to see him the second time five weeks later I was down 25 pounds. I decided to continue his regeime while I waited for all the insurance approval, etc., and when I climbed on the operating table about four months later I was dowm a total of 70 pounds. I firmly believe that this helped me to recover so quickly with no complications at all. So if you can manage to lose a few pounds before surgery I really think it would be to your advantage in the long run. Best of luck to you. Blessed be. Gwynne
   — Birdie59

February 14, 2003
My surgeon did require a 10% loss prior to surgery. This was to help you health wise and to show commitment on your part. I was tempted to put rocks in my pockets for my first weigh in. I weighed 299 and the 29 lbs seemed out of reach and unreasonable, but I wanted this so bad I had to do it. I ended up losing 27 and he was happy with that. I did it with slimfast for breakfast, lean cuisene for lunch and same plus salad for dinner. I did it in about 9 weeks. The good part about it is now I can say I have lost 81 lbs, 27 pre-op and 54 post-op. Open RNY 10/22/02.
   — Tawnda C.

February 14, 2003
If my Dr. had that requirement I would have gone to a different Dr.
   — **willow**

February 14, 2003
What the heck. You might feel better and lighter if you lose weight before surgery. I don't buy into the idea that it makes surgery easier to lose a few pounds (if we're talking a few), because after all, we're still all M.O. once we're on the table. And the business about proving dedication or compliance really tees me off, personally (failed diet history, anyone?). Having said all that, my surgeon didn't require it, but I lost 12 pounds before surgery on my own, emphasizing exercise in particular, because I was so psyched at the idea that those pounds really COULD be gone forever after this surgery. (I'm so glad he didn't require it. I would've been all 'tudinal about THAT, lol!). What a concept to lose it thinking it could REALLY be gone for good this time, it really made losing the weight feel very different than before. :-) So do it for you, not for them. And yes, I loved WW -- thought it was one of the few weight-loss programs that was realistic, and didn't exploit the heck out of the overweight population like most diet programs and products do. :)
   — Suzy C.




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