Has anybody ever had the surgeon refuse to do the surgery?

My surgeon said he wanted me to lose some weight before surgery. He didn't care how much. Said even if it was only 5 pounds, he would be okay with that. I was 416. He did say if I GAINED any more weight he wouldn't do my surgery. I had another surgeon tell me to lose 10-15 % of my excess weight before surgery. Thankfully I lost 23 pounds before surgery. That would have been the 10% minimum for the one surgeon. That much wasn't necessary for the surgeon I chose, but I am know it helped us both during my surgery. Inquire with another surgeon or facility if they refuse. He shouldn't. Most try to get us to lose some weight preop for various reasons. It benefits them and us during surgery. His nurse said "around 375", correct? Just do the best that you can do. That is all they, or you, can ask of you. As long as you are trying is all that should matter. Good luck and best wishes! Huggs, Ruth

Hi, My program has pre-op exercise routine we have to start and we are told not to gain any weight. They do not push weight loss too much, but for 2-4 weeks before the surgery I will have to do on a pre-op diet with a protien suppliment shake for breakfast and lunch and a dinner with 4 oz of protien and non starchy vegetables and fruit. This is what they are strict about. If I do not follow this the surgery date will be changed. The bigest thing is to get moving as much as possible. They told me 1 lb of muscle burns 50 calories a day...gain 5 lbs of muscle and burn an extra 250 calories a day without even doing anything! Plus exercise helps with appitite. BTW..my first info session I weighed 453. I started walking 15 minutes a day after work and am now at 447.5 without a diet change. I went to my patient education class Thursday and am now having to walking 20 minutes a day (I have to increase it 5 minutes a wee****il I get to 50) for cardio, doing 14 simple strength building exercises with a sports band (they are kicking my butt!) and then some stretching after. My kids have to help me with several of the stretches because I cannot do them alone. I cannot wait to see how much I start loosing now...still with no diet change. I cannot go on the preop diet until I get my surgery set. I try not to eat more than normal, but if I want a cookie, I eat a cookie... I know I wont be able to later. The only "diet" change i have made is to drink as much water as possible, usually a gallon a day. Oh, I also was told to start taking a complete vitamin 2 times a day (walmart centrum). I too was bullemic when I was younger...and still sometimes have to fight the urge when I feel guilty for over eating. You can do it! I have heard of many people gain weight because they get the "last supper" feeling. I think that is why they are so animate about telling people to loose weight. The restricted diet 2-4 weeks pre-op is to shrink the liver to help with the surgery. Good luck! I am shocked that they told you to loose weight and did not give you information on how to do it (If it was easy for us.. we would not need surgery!!!) Again, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

Lurnia, I made myself sick worrying about losing pre-op weight. He required 10% but I only lost 7lbs and I was sooo nervous. The day before surgery I went in to see the dietician and she said I shouldn't be telling you this but we had someone come in that Gained 50 lbs and he still did her surgery. I was LIVID!! I mean gaining weight was not an option for me but for me to worry myself sick and then have someone Gain that large amount of weight just pissed me off! I think surgeons should say it's best to lost any amount you can and leave it at that. I think putting extra stress on someone before a major surgery is stupid. PLEASE don't worry yourself the way I did. Do the best you can do and let the rest go. Hugs, Jamie

Hi Lurnia, I have been asked to lose 25 lbs before surgery (I have lost 10 so far). I have simply been following Canada's Food Guide, proper portions and walking. The weight seems to be coming off. I have been told by others that this is a common request by my surgeon, if you lose weight just prior to surgery your liver shrinks and it increases the chances of having the surgery lap. I have also been told that as long as you try and lose a little bit he will be happy. Try not to stress out too much! This is not good if you are an emotional eater (I am). Just give it your best shot! Lori