Question:
Help! I'm having trouble trying to lose weight before surgery. Any advice?

I can't get into the dieting mode. I have to see the surgeon again in two weeks and haven't lost any of the 15 to 20 lbs he wants me to lose before surgery, which is scheduled for 9/12/00. Please help. This is why I'm obese in the first place. I've had so many personal problems I have a problem denying myself the foods I really want.    — Wendy W. (posted on July 12, 2000)

July 12, 2000
Wendy, I have to agree with you, the whole purpose of the surgery is to help with something we have not been able to do on our own. I think it's unreasonable to ask that too. I gained nearly 20lbs in the three months I waited just out of fear and stress. Everyone else I talked to did the same thing. I was so scared of surgery that if I had lost even 1 lb prior to surgery I'd have talked myself out of it thinking I could do it on my own. Good Luck. Guy
   — Guy C.

July 12, 2000
What's the deal here? This is why you are having WLS! Some doc's are such jerks. If I could lose twenty pounds in a couple weeks than why bother with WLS. Sheesh! I had surgery because I was out of control. People (doctors included) really don't understand being fat. This was the reason I told very few people that I was having surgery. there is a lack of understanding. I wish you well and still say 'why bother' with dieting when you will be forced to shortly. I gained nearly twenty pounds waiting for my surgery date and insurance approval. Big woop. I had 150 lbs. to lose anyway. Regards
   — [Anonymous]

July 12, 2000
Hi Wendy, Yep, I also feel that it isn't really fair to ask to ask someone to lose weight before weight loss surgery, but I guess I can "kinda" understand WHY your surgeon has made this request. He is probably "testing" your commitment to changing your lifestyle following your surgery. You told us in the phrasing here of your question that you have a problem "denying yourself of the foods you really want"...what's going to happen after surgery when you CAN'T have those foods? Sure, right after your surgery, you really won't be able to consume alot of any type of food, but after a while, (a few months) you will be able to eat pretty much anything you want to. Wendy, if you can't voluntarily "give up" those foods for 2 weeks before your surgery, you may have a real emotional problem giving up those foods post-op. I agree, that between our surgeons and our various insurances, it seems that we're doing nothing but jumping through hoops in order to be "permitted" to better our lives by having wls, but we have to remember that our weight loss success depends as much on our own personal commitment to adhering to "the rules" as it does on the wls itself. Showing your surgeon that you are, indeed, committed to doing "whatever it takes" to lose the weight, is only the first step in proving to yourself that this is the right decision for you. So, even tho' it may not seem fair, this IS something you CAN do to begin to "take your life back" and free yourself from the prison that your obesity has you trapped in. We ALL have had our own "personal problems", but it's time we put that all into perspective and concentrate on what's best for US...RIGHT NOW! You can do this, honey. You don't really "fail" unless you "fail" to at least TRY. Good luck and God bless. cj
   — cj T.

July 12, 2000
Only need to lose 15 pounds? Well, why don't you wait til a few days before the appointment, then go on a crash diet, fast, take diet pills, and drink only water. You should lose the weight or close to it, won't have to do anything else before or after your surgery and will show the doctor how "committed" you are to WLS. Hey, aren't we all experts in how to lose weight temporarily? (On a more serious note, though, it's not about denying yourself the foods you really want, it's about the quantity you eat of those foods and a lack of exercise-all of this coupled with the emotional/psychological reasons we abuse food and thus our bodies.) The only encouragement I can give you is that this time when you lose these few pounds, it really will count for something and be a direct and tangible way to get what you really need which is the surgery. So look at it as the last time you will have to diet and comply with what your doctor wants. If this is such a big issue with you, then find another doctor who doesn't have this requirement-there are many doctors around who offer WLS, maybe not in your home town but 50 or 100 miles away. It's not that big a deal to go to another location-don't be stuck in the local yokel mentality if another choice IS available and this weight lose before surgery is such a sticking point with you and the doctor. Good luck, only you can do this for yourself.
   — Fran B.

July 13, 2000
Wendy, My surgery is scheduled for the 11th of September. I have to try to lose 30lbs before that date. I too, am having a horrible time getting into the diet mode. My heart wants to diet, but my mind is saying this is the last time you will ever be able to eat like this again. What is my trip? Let me know what you find out. Becki
   — Becki S.

April 6, 2001
My doctor is also having me lose 20 lbs before surgery. He said it was to shrink the liver so he can make a smaller incision. I have just been rying to eat better and I have been exercising to Leslie Sansones weight loss walk videos. They are fun and easy. I am actually feeling pretty good about losing the weight then I have less to lose after words.
   — Sarah A.

April 6, 2001
Usually requesting the weight loss has more to do with the surgery itself than with 'testing your commitment', etc. Why a lot of surgeons ask you to try and lose 10% of your weight before surgery is: 1) Losing weight will make your liver less fatty and shrink your organs a little, so it gives them more room to work and less chance of something getting nicked, plus if they do it open, they will have to fold your liver out of the way. If you lose a few pounds, your liver will shrink and it may not have to be folded over as much (or at all) and there will be less bleeding. 2) The less you weigh, the less anesthesia they'll have to give you, which is safer for you. 3) The healthier you are before surgery usually increases your chances of a quicker recovery time I'm not sure if my doctor requests that we lose weight before surgery, but it's definitely something I want to do for the reasons I listed above. The nice thing is that if you do lose this weight just before surgery, you don't have to worry about it coming back like before because you *are* having the surgery, so you're also permanently lowering total excess weight you have to lose, thereby increasing your chances of getting to goal. Now,having said that, while I really want to diet and lose weight before surgery, I don't know if I can because I've never been a successful dieter (otherwise I wouldn't be having surgery *grins*). Some people on here are a lot more sucessful losing weight dieting, but they get that vicious cycle where what you lost comes back and more. Since you're doing it before surgery though, you are breaking that cycle. You should also ask your surgeon whether he wants you to lose 15 lbs or if it's a requirement before surgery. Some surgeons require and others recommend it because it will be safer/healthier for you if you do. You may also ask your surgeon if there's something he/she (or their nutritionist) can recommend to assist you with your pre-surgery weight loss. Good luck!!!
   — Anita N.