Pre Surgery Weight Loss Requirements?

xoxsarahxo2
on 7/14/17 4:30 pm
VSG on 10/19/17

I, like many of you, was told to lose weight before I would be approved for VSG (20lbs to be exact). I was also told by folks who had the surgery that they didn't lose the weight the doctor told them to & were still approved for surgery. People say that the doctor just needs to see that you're trying by losing some weight. What are your experiences?

White Dove
on 7/14/17 5:04 pm - Warren, OH

My surgeon will not do surgery if the weight loss requirement is not met.

Real life begins where your comfort zone ends

Cathy H.
on 7/14/17 5:47 pm
VSG on 10/31/16

I think with most surgeons/programs this requirement is to show that you have the discipline and commitment to follow the guidelines after surgery. A lot of them will not approve you for surgery if you don't lose the weight.

Livin' La KETO Loca!!
134 lbs lost since surgery, 195 overall!! Initial goal reached 9/15/17, (10.5 months)!
5'3", SW*: 299 GW: 175 HW 3/2015: 360 PSW* 5/2016: 330 *PSW=Prog Start Wt; SW=Surgery Wt

M1 -31, M2 -10, M3 -15, M4 -16, M5 -8, M6 -6, M7 -11, M8 -8, M9 -8, M10 -4, M10.5 -7 GOAL

AggieMae
on 7/14/17 6:11 pm
VSG on 10/25/16

Research has shown no correlation between successful pre surgery weight loss and post bariatric surgery out comes but many insurance companies still require it. Or at least an attempt. Bariatric surgeons should really know better.

My program only required people who start over 300lbs to lose weight pre op.

I had this surgery because I had to starve myself to lose even a pound a week. I am a very active person and was put on (and stuck too) a 1200 calories a day for 6 weeks and lost less than 3 pounds.

MonaLyssa33
on 7/14/17 6:39 pm - Minneapolis, MN
VSG on 02/20/17

My team and insurance had no weight loss requirements other than they did not want me to gain. When I started the process I weighed 340 and by the date of surgery I was 295. There were a few pre-op visits where I had gained weight though and my nutritionist talked with me about the importance of getting good habits established before I had the surgery.

Highest Weight ~400, Surgery Weight 293, Current Weight 227, Goal Weight 180

Highest BMI: 59.1, Current BMI: 32, Goal BMI: 25

VSG on February 20, 2017

(deactivated member)
on 7/15/17 4:36 am
VSG on 12/28/16
(deactivated member)
on 7/15/17 4:51 am
VSG on 12/28/16

My surgeon also said there is no correlation between pre op loss an success after surgery. He does not require it but my insurance did. I did not lose weight pre op and was still approved. I have BCBS. I used the pre op time to give up caffeine and learn to eat slower, etc. I was glad for the good habits post op.

Grim_Traveller
on 7/15/17 5:35 am
RNY on 08/21/12

I've never seen an actual scientific study on the subject. And I've seen a lot of folks who lost no weight preop become very successful. I've also seen many who lost no weight do very poorly.

But every person I've seen lose a significant amount preop have been successful. All of them. It's not a scientific result, but it's enough for me to really encourage new folks to do the same.

6'3" tall, male.

Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.

M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.

Liz WantsHealthForAll
on 7/16/17 3:43 am - Cape Cod, MA
VSG on 03/28/16

I think that for many of us it is making that commitment to change old habits and build new ones early (pre-op) which sets the stage for post-op success. I know that I was so disgusted with my weight and so ready to make a change that I listened and followed the advice the NUT gave me 100%.

Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-123 CW: 120 (after losing 20 lb. regain)!

Grim_Traveller
on 7/16/17 6:22 am
RNY on 08/21/12

I agree almost completely. My nutritionists gave me some advice, like eating more crappy carbs, that I ignored. But it really is about building good habits, and especially about committing ourselves.

6'3" tall, male.

Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.

M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.

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