Question:
My doctors assistant told me I needed to lose at least 100 lbs. before I can have sur

Is this normal? I weigh 238 lbs. now. I am 150 lbs. overweight. I think this sounds a little extreme.    — Claudette G. (posted on May 3, 2001)

May 3, 2001
I can't imagine that you got this response from an assistant associated with any board-certified bariatric surgeon. When investigating WLS, it would always be in the best interest of the patient to obtain information from, and be evaluated by, a surgeon with specific credentials and experience in the specialized field of bariatric surgery. Please take the opportunity to get a qualified second opinion. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

May 3, 2001
Dear Claudette, That sounds extremely low. You weigh 238 and need to lose 150 lbs. Is that correct? That would mean your goal weight is 88 lbs. How tall are you? Wow! You DEFINITELY need to talk to a surgeon. That sounds so extreme!
   — Mary B.

May 3, 2001
You say that you are 150lbs. overweight? If you subtract that from 238lbs. that would put you at only 80lbs. That would be anorexic.
   — [Anonymous]

May 5, 2001
Hummmmm......something here is not right....
   — Cathy J.

May 9, 2001
Hi Claudette, Something isn't right here. I weighed 278 when I had surgery and my Dr. told me I was about 140 lbs over. I didn't have to lose a lb. before surgery-probably gained about 5-8 before. Double check those figures. If you could lose 100 lbs then you wouldn't need surgery!
   — Linda M.

May 30, 2001
I think you need to speak to the Dr. If you could lose weight by dieting, why, would you need the surgery?? Obviously there is a cross communication.
   — Jill C.

August 16, 2001
UMMMMMMM, HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!lol Let me tell ya, i am surprised that you are obese enough to be approved, although i am not saying you dont need to lose, but, if you lost 100 lbs, which you have to be 100 lbs over to be considered morbidly obese, you would be at 138#. Whats wrong with that????? LOL I am not trying to make fun, in all seriousness, go to another dr. I have heard though, like my surgeon, some drs will NOT perform the surgery if you are over 400# because it is more dangerous. I currently weigh 395# so i have to watch :) Kim
   — Kimberly Felan

August 16, 2001
Perhaps she meanty ou can be EXPECTED to lose up to 100lbs. with this procedure? Meaning, that will be your expected loss after surgery, not before surgery. A simple misunderstanding!
   — Karen R.