Must lose 142lbs BEFORE surgery . . .

I have rummaged up the money to be a self-pay for the lap-band, finally. I went to the surgeon's seminar. I went to the first consultation with the surgeon (which was bundled with a nutritionist and psych eval) . . . All this to be told that I am TOO FAT for surgery. I weigh a ghastly 542, but the surgeon said that they won't do surgery on anyone over 400. If I could freakin' lose 142 all by myself, I wouldn't need their stinkin' surgery, would I? So they told me to go on a liquid protein shake diet, like it's no problem for me to just magically stick to that and lose 142 lbs before scheduling surgery. Does anyone else out there have a similar experience? Am I the only person in the history of WLS who has to lose that much weight before surgery?

hi frances: no, hun, you're not the only person in wls history to have to lose weight before surgery. but i agree that seems excessive. i think i'd try a different surgeon. i know that some operate on a higher weight because i started at 450+. and my surgery was done lap almost two years ago. you sound angry and i know i would be, too. but please keep trying. it's so very worth it, once you're on your way. and in the meantime, i wish you all the best of luck with your hoops - we all have had to jump thru them before surgery. good luck dorthe

I'd find another surgeon. I know there are many people here who had had successful surgery at 542 pounds and even higher. Also, at that weight, are you sure lap-band is your best option? I will be praying for you. Hugs, Tracy

Frances, Six months ago I weighed 456 lbs. and had the RNY. Today I am 138 lbs. less and even though I have a lot more to go it was worth it. I don't know where you live but I would look into a GOOD hospital. With the higher weight patients there are concerns that you want to have the experts all right under one roof for you. Also, I question why the lap-band? What ever your decision my best wishes to you and keep in touch. Happy New Year. Jeanne

I'd find a different surgeon. I had surgery at almost 500 lbs, and you know what thank God I didn't have to wait. It's 10 months later and I'm now 251 lbs. (i had the DS), don't wait, don't pass go...find a different surgeon and get WLS done as soon as you can. Scott PS perhaps they told you to lose that much weight because Lap Banders are only expected to lose 50 percent of their excess weight loss which if you weighed 400 lbs would be about 100 lbs you'd be expected to lose.

Thanks for all the replies and support . . . I'm interested in lapband because my sister had it last year, and she's been very successful with it. She was right at 400 lbs when she had it done, and is now about 230 (but she has a different surgeon, different hospital than I do). The reason I was told to lose weight was that the ecg/ekg/echo equipment wouldn't be reliable on a person with a higher weight. I've never heard such a thing in all my research. I know that lots of people have to do a liver-shrinking pre-op diet, but 142 lbs?! Anyway, I would hate to change surgeons at this point because, as a self-pay, I've already invested nearly $600 . . . but I don't think there's any way that I can possibly lose 142 on my own. If I thought I could, I'm sure I wouldn't need surgery.

I have never heard that the machines would not support a person over a certain size. If at all possible you might want to try another surgeon to see if they say the same thing. I will be praying for you. I know $600 is alot but what is compared to getting to surgery earlier. I have to loose 40 lbs. before surgery, and I was hey 40 if I can do that in three months why do I need the surgery. But, for some reason I lost ten pounds since my consult. It has never been this easy for me. I wish you the best. Keep us posted on your journey. Lesley

hi frances just wanted to jump in and say that i was 463 when i had an rny nearly 2 years ago. i can't tell what state you live in, but my surgeon here in indiana didn't seem to blink an eye at my 463! he also does the lap band, but i was unable to have it due to some previous surgeries i had...not due to my weight. i agree with the others who have suggested shopping for another surgeon. don't give up! my 463 is now 188! i, too, was a self pay, and it was money well spent! best of luck to you. deb

At 508 lb. my first dr. consultation told me "We don't turn any one down; however, we have strict guidelines". Loosing 100+ was the guidelines! I felt the same way and I started my search for a different dr. On the California message board I found many who had successfully used "Lite Dimentions" in Fountain Valley, California. In fact, on my last visit, I spoke to a woman who had flown in from Arkansas to have her surgery here on the advice of her brother who is a doctor. I did have my first appointment in May--and decided on my own to loose as much as possible while I waited through the process. I went to the support group meetings where I found out about being sensitive to sugar. I got rid of all white foods and sugar from my diet. My surgery is in 29 days and I have lost 62 lbs. which will make my surgery hopefully safer. I know I am taking a risk; however, I would rather take the planned risk now than face an emergency in the future. It is true about the possible inaccuracy of the EKG, etc. at our weight. It is also impossible to get a tread mill stress test because the equipment just isn't rated that high. As to surgery, it does make a difference whether your weight is above or below your waist. I'm an apple with most in my bottom! I'm having the RNY lap. There is a chance that they may have to open due to my weight. I understand that. I could wait and try to loose more weight; however, I am also a senior citizen and figure my chances are better today than 3 years down the road. I understand your anger. I was, too, for the same reasons you stated. I wish you all the best for your journey. Since you've found other diets unsuccessful you might consider trying to eliminate white foods and sugars and just see if that works for you as it did for me. Your library probably has the book The South Beach Diet. It worked for me where so many other plans have failed. I wish you joy for your journey. You will find the needed support here so stay tuned and hang in there whether you op for surgery or not. It's all about the individual choice. Faith

Thanks for the support, everybody. I guess I was just a little steamed and discouraged when I first posted. (Probably steamed mostly due to the fact that I specifically asked the surgeon in his free seminar if he had ever encountered anyone too fat to operate on . . . he point-blank said no . . . I'm sure he meant that after his patients lose down to his "acceptable" weight range, then they're not too fat anymore . . . which I feel is misleading . . . I never would have spent my $600 on a consult if he'd given me a straight answer in the seminar). Anyway, I've taken all the advice to heart, and I'm going to another surgeon's free seminar on Jan. 8. I'm going to ask him the same question and let him know I've already been mislead by one of his colleagues . . . and I don't want to waste anymore money on presurgery consults to be told I need to lose massive amounts of weight on my own before surgery. I'm just so desperate to get this surgery as soon as possible. I am doing my best to stick to a high (lean) protein, mostly liquid, very low calorie diet just to lose as much weight as possible before surgery. And if I get the same answer from the new surgeon about needing to lose to 400 before I can get a surgery date, then I'll bite the bullet and figure out a way to do it. I'm just so afraid that I'll fall off the wagon before reaching the goal. Frustrating, but nothing new. Again, thanks everyone for your support.