Question:
Does wl prior to surgery affect total wl or recovery?

I am pre-op and my goal is to lose 50 pounds prior to surgery which is about 8 months away. I am down 28 so far. Does losing prior to surgery speed up or slow down weight loss after surgery? I also plan to begin exercising because I have heard it helps speed up recovery. Is that true? One final concern is insurance approval. Has anyone had an experience where they lost some weight and the ins. co decided surgery was unnecessary? I am very concerned about these issues so any advice would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance! Warmest wishes to all:-)    — Sara A (posted on September 19, 2001)

September 19, 2001
Sara I think you are on the right track. I don't know how tall you are, but as long as you don't lose so much weight that you aren't still 100 pounds over you should be okay. I waited until I was approved for insurance to start working out. I then began walking and lifting weights. I lost about 15 pounds prior to surgery and I think that strengthening my arms, legs, and abs really helped me be more comfortable and mobile after surgery. I also made some of the same changes you have. I stopped the soft drinks *sniffle* and tried to eat healthier foods. A couple of suggestions I could think of are to find a protein drink NOW that you can tolerate. It is the worst feeling in the world to have to drink something you don't like when you can't have anything else! You can also up your protein intake to at least 60 grams a day. This may also help you lose weight more quickly. If I were you I wouldn't kill myself trying to work out. I have done that before and what I find is that after the surgery a little goes a long ways. I used to have to work out 2 hours a day 5 days a week to maintain. Now I eat high protein and try to work out 2 days a week for at least 30 minutes. Now I do walk as much as I can and try to stay active (mowing the lawn, biking) on the weekend, but I feel that this is something I can MAINTAIN. SO I guess I am saying do whatever is comfortable, but don't knock yourself out doing it. In your profile you say you are starving . . . eat something with protein in it! Soon enough you will not feel that hunger. You will eat 3 ounces and feel like you have been to the all-you-can-eat buffet and you will LOSE that weight!
   — ctyst