Question:
I have seen were several people have to loss 15 or even 25 lbs. before surgery. Why?

   — Paula G. (posted on August 21, 2002)

August 21, 2002
I believe some doctors require it as a test to see if people are really committed. Some insurance companies may require it for approval also.
   — snicklefritz

August 21, 2002
To answer your question about weight loss prior to surgery..it's because as overweight persons we have fatty livers. It makes it much easier for your surgon to be able to see better, move other organs around to ensure that their is NO nicking or damage to other organs or blood vessels. Also, when you have lost weight your belly area is squishey and soft, making more room for swelling and less chance of a hernia. I had open RNY and this is my doctors routein and he has been doing this for 20 years. No hernia, no loss of life either. I feel this is the best way, for the safety of the patient. Hope this helps.
   — sandy W.

August 21, 2002
Hi there! I had to lose about 25 pounds (10% of my highest weight) prior to surgery, otherwise my insurance company wouldn't have approved me & my surgeon wouldn't have performed surgery on me! Losing the 10% helps your liver and your overall health. If your liver is too fatty certain surgeons might not be able to manuver around it & they may have to do an open surgery, as oposed to Lap. Also, based on my surgeon's attitude towards this surgery I think it showed her how determined I was & that I can stick to a plan and accomplish weight loss if I really put my mind to it. I'm very grateful for having lost 25 pounds prior to surgery...It means 25 less to goal!
   — Binxalways

August 21, 2002
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center requires a 15 lbs weight lost as one of the requirements to meet the surgeon. They beleive it shows a commitment to the surgery.
   — Tina C.

August 21, 2002
My personal opinion is because the last 15 are the hardest to lose!!!!
   — Patty H.

August 22, 2002
I HAVE TO DO THAT AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO LOSE MY 10% SO I CAN GET A SURGERY DATE. SO FAR I STARTED AT 265 AND AM NOW 250 TRUST ME THIS TOOK 2 MONTHS TO DO IT SLOW BUT SAFE. ALSO CAN BE FRUSTRATING BUT IF YOU WANT SURGERY REAL BAD YOU'LL DO ANYTHING WITHIN THE MEANS OF SAFETY.
   — sheri B.

August 28, 2002
My Dr. did not require this. A friend had surg. w/ a different Dr. had to do the diet, exercise and journal for somthing like 8 weeks prior to surg. I feel it was a kind of cruel thing to expect a person to follow the post wls diet prior to surg. with a full size stomach, etc. It may show commitment or it may be a set up for failure for many people. This is one of the reasons I did not go to her Dr. If I could just lose weight without surgery I would have rather done that, how ever I couldn't sustain a good weight loss on diets so that is why I am having surgery.
   — **willow**