Question:
Do doctors reject patients because they gain weight?
I am just curious if anyone has been rejected or known of anyone that was rejected because of weight gain? What if you can't lose weight before surgery or you gain, then what? Thanks in advance! — Female C. (posted on October 24, 2002)
October 23, 2002
My surgeon has a stated policy of cancelling or postponing surgery on his
patients who have demonstrated significant weight gain between the time of
their initial consultation and the scheduled surgical date, although he
does not require demonstration of weight loss preoperatively. I believe
that his policy is intended to discourage the "last supper
syndrome", in which pre-op patients over-indulge in all of their most
favorite foods because of a mistaken belief that they will feel
"deprived" post-op or never able to eat "normally"
again. Sometimes these patients will show a 20 lb. or more weight gain
pre-operatively, and it is critical to remember that we are all increased
surgical risks to begin with....we don't need to unnecessarily increase
those odds with last-minute binging or grazing. At 32 months post-op, I
remain at goal and can eat everything except concentrated sugars and fats
without any problems at all...I simply eat MUCH less than ever before. I
go out to restaurants and covered dish affairs and am perfectly comfortable
with the selections that are available, and never once have I felt
"deprived" or unhappy with my decision to have this life-saving
and life-altering decision. I think that qualified bariatric surgeons who
have done their research and understand the disease of morbid obesity
understand full well that if patients could successfully lose weight and
maintain that weight loss, they wouldn't be seeking surgery at all...just
try to at least "maintain" your current weight or lose a few
extra pounds if possible pre-op, but resist the impulse to over-indulge
during this period. Best wishes!
— Diana T.
October 23, 2002
Most surgeons understand that the reason for having this surgery is BECAUSE
WE OVER EAT AND GAIN WEIGHT.
— faybay
October 23, 2002
Hi Trixy. Different doctors will have different policies. And even two
doctors with the same policy may respond differently to a patient's
inability to adhere. For example, my surgeon specified I needed to lose
10% of my body weight prior to surgery (37.5 lbs.). Well, not only did I
not lose any weight, I actually gained about 7 lbs. He did the surgery
anyway. I have been pretty successful since. So, you never know.
However, my advice would be to try to follow your surgeon's advice, both
pre-op and especially post-op. Also, don't try to withhold your fears and
concerns. The more communication, the better. Your best chance to
accomplish your goals is to follow your surgeon's path. Good luck to you.
Kevin
— meilankev
October 24, 2002
As others have stated, each surgeon is different. My surgeon doesn't
postpone/cancel surgeries because his patients gain weight. A lot of us go
through the "last meal syndrome" and gain weight between the
consultation and actual surgery. I for one gained 11 pounds. However I'm
4 weeks out and have lost 32lbs! :) Ask your surgeon if you are unsure of
his policy. Hope this helps. God bless!
— Rebekah A.
October 24, 2002
My surgeon didn't require me to lose weight, but I did manage to gain about
5-7 lbs. before my surgery. I was borderline on being able to do the
surgery laproscopically.. My BMI was right under 50 and his cutoff was 50.
The weight gain put me over 50, so he could've made me have it open. I
still was able to have the lap, but I was worried for a bit there. I would
have done it either way though.
— sheltie
October 24, 2002
One of the surgeons I saw said that I would have to lose about 20 pds
because I was 20 pds over the weight limit of the operating table, and the
hospital did not like having to rent a table for heavier patients. I guess
it cut into their profit margin. He is not my surgeon and I am not using
that hospital. I wanted someone that was more sympathetic to my plight and
understood more about the difficulties of being obese. I just did'nt think
he or they were the right ones for the job. I mean if I could shed weight
in the first place I wouldn't be doing this.
— dkinson
October 24, 2002
The surgeon that I am going to use is so cool. In her seminar she tells
everyone that they have to quit smoking before they can be considered a
candidate for surgery. She says "don't worry if you gain weight from
it, I will take care of that for you". ;)
— Tammy O.
October 24, 2002
Doctors want you to lose weight, because even if you lose 10 pounds, your
liver firms up and is easier to move out of the way for the surgery. It
helps for less complications. Fatty livers are blobby and hard to keep out
of the way, and could get "nicked" in surgery. THey don't do it
to make you "prove" yourself.
— Kristy J.
October 24, 2002
It all depends on the surgeon. I gained 9lbs. between my consult (May) and
then surgery (Sept.), but nothing was said about it....(lap RNY and down
46lbs. in 4 weeks)
— karmiausnic
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