Question:
Anyone have surgery cancelled due to weight gain?

I have put on a few pounds. I started the last supper thing a few weeks early. Now I am back in control. Surgery is in 8 days. Just a bit concerned. Thanks    — armonce G. (posted on February 1, 2003)

February 1, 2003
i have read posts from people who said their surgeons would not do the surgery as scheduled because they had gained weight instead of loosing as they were told.(or remaining the same) the dr said it showed the person is not willing to make the lifestyle changes needed to make this tool work, and frankly they do not want a person to fail, it reflects poorly on them! i know of on one personally that ti shas happened too, but i have readit here on this site.
   — janetc00

February 1, 2003
I know my DOcotor was a stickler for this. His philosophy was that from the onset of going to him and after the initial consult you were to follow the post op diet and lose a minimum of 15-20 pounds. He will cancel your surgery if you gain anything. His reason behind this was you are to be making a life change...not just a short term solution abd you better be committed to eating this way for the rest of your life. My initial surgery had been 3 months away from my consult however I was moved up to six weeks earlier when they had a cancelation. I was fortunate cause I had already lost my 15 pounds and had even been to Jamaica during that time. The bottom line...you either want to do it or you dont!
   — cindy O.

February 1, 2003
My surgeon also made the stipulation that I not gain any weight or my surgery would be cancelled. As they led me into the pre-op area the day of my surgery - the nurse pulled me aside in a room and weighed me just to make sure I hadn't gained any weight - or I supposed I would have been headed home. I understand my surgeons thinking though - if I am serious about obeying his directions post-op I needed to take his directions seriously pre-op! Glad I did.
   — Susan B.

February 1, 2003
My surgeon never threatened to cancel surgery if I gained weight between the consultation and the actual surgery date. He encouraged me not to gain weight, but also told me about the "Last Supper" syndrome. He said he has had people gain as much as 30 lbs before surgery. I got the feeling he thinks it is better to "get it out of your system" so you can concentrate on doing what you need to do after surgery. I can tell you I went in to surgery knowing there were certain foods I probably would not eat agian ever, or for a very long time. I also know that the last time I ate some of those things before surgery, I really thought more about how they tasted and why I liked them, and came to realize, in some cases, it was just texture or the fact that I could eat it fast that made it attractive. I have no desire for some of the things I used to like to eat before I had surgery, and I think having things one last time before surgery made a difference. I think I gained about 7 lbs. before surgery. But you know what stinks - he used the weight from my consultation as my starting point, so I don't get "credit" for losing that 7 lbs! There is always a price to pay....
   — koogy

February 2, 2003
I think it all comes down to what instructions your surgeon gave you. It wouldn't be fair if they had the expectation that you not gain weight but did not inform you of this. My surgeon was silent on this issue. If he didn't inform you that you are not to gain weight or to lose weight prior to the surgery and then wouldn't go through with the surgery...you may want to point out the lack of information and unfairness of not puting you on notice. Also make sure you read your paperwork carefully. I just noticed about a week ago my paperwork comes with specific instruction to stay off asprin, tylenol, ibuprofren 2 weeks prior... and there was no instructions to maintain or reduce weight. ;) <p>Take Care, Be WEll, and Be HAppy!
   — John T.

February 2, 2003
I guess it depends on if your doctor has said not to gain any weight or wants you to lose weight. My doctor never mentioned anything like this to me and on my pre-surgery appointment, I was weighed and the nurse expressed surprise because I had lost a few pounds. Told me most people gain.
   — Lisa N M.

February 2, 2003
Every doctor is different. I canceled my appt with a surgeon after I found out she required a 10 percent weight loss. My surgeon said no more than 5 lbs (to account for water weight or scale fluctuations) and so I actually lost 5 lbs. However, I think that if your doctor did not tell you not to gain, you should be okay. However, I have heard of a doctor who didn't have a no gain policy but who canceled someone who had gained 25 lbs in like 3 weeks. The dr. thought that was an excessively unhealthy thing to do before major surgery. If you're back in control and your dr doesn't have an explicit policy, you should be okay.
   — susanje

February 2, 2003
My doctor did not say anything about a pre-op weight policy. When I first applied for the program I had already lost 27 pounds...during my nutrition classes I lost 13 and was down 54 from my highest known weight. Then when I went for my consult just a month later, I was up 24 pounds. I have lymphedema in my legs and the fluxuation of fluid makes it hard to know what I'm actually losing or gaining. My mother also said all scales are different and it is hard to be accurate this high. I have surgery in a week and have thoughts of doing the "last supper" thing...but really don't have a desire to over due things. I'm just enjoying myself...not bingeing or gorgeing.
   — Sarahlicious