Required Pre-op Weight Loss

What is the story with surgeons requiring some weight loss prior to surgery?  Just reading past posts it doesn't matter whether you are 250 or 350 lbs, some people are required to lose some weight.  Is it required to see if you are committed to changing eating habits, etc.?  I was just curious what your experiences are with this.

Thanks,
Stephanie

Stephanie - it depends on the surgeon what their requirements are - some is 10%, some say 10 pounds,  some just say don't gain - you would need to ask your surgeons office what their rules are.   Some surgeons require a liquid diet before hand - any weight you lose helps shrink your liver down so it is easier to do surgery laproscopically.  so short answer is - ask your surgeon.  

Thanks LA!  I will ask them.  Today I was able to make the surgeon consult appt. - it will be on 1/14.  My understanding is that I will have a tentative surgery date set and all my paperwork will be submitted to insurance.  Baby steps....I did a small happy dance today.  After my consult....BIG HAPPY DANCE!!!

Stephanie

My doctor had me lose eight pounds by the date of my pre-op appointment.  He also said it was to get me going in the right direction, as far as portion control and better eating habits.  I do have to do a liquid diet, but just for the two days prior to surgery.
Good luck at your consult!!!

HI Stephanie, it was great to meet you Saturday and your darling little daugther!! 

I was required to lose a % of my body weight prior to surgery. My surgeon does this to see if you are commited to the life style change and I think its also to help shrink the liver so its not in the way for surgery. Because we were required to lose weight before had we did not have to do a liquid diet. I think the opportuity to lose weight before is a great way to begin better choices that will be similar to life after surgery.

Best wishes to you!

Hi Stephanie!! Thast great news!! ....I was told I didn't need to lose any weight pre-op from Dr Rupp. I lost 3 lbs prior to surgery anyways. I'm so excited for you!!

I don't know why surgeons are so different when it comes to this but they must have their reasons.  I was never specifically told I had to lose weight before surgery; my first appointment with the baractric team I was 314 lbs. Then about a month before surgery I had gained 10 lbs because I had "last meal syndrome" (ate everything I wanted like it would be the last time I ever ate)

However, my surgeon does require a 2 week liquid diet so I did end up losing 30 lbs before my surgery day. That 2 weeks was the hardest thing I ever had to do.  I went from binge eating what I wanted one day to just being able to eat chicken broth and jello.  Whether your doctor requires you to lose weight or not  I don't recommend doing what I did with the "last meal syndrome" for a long period of time.  Its good to say good bye to certain foods but don't binge out right before surgery it just makes not being able to eat for the first few months harder.  Do what ever small steps you can now to change your diet habbits so its not so drastic once surgery comes it will mentally prepare you for the emotional journey the first 3 months after surgery brings.  

Thanks for the feedback!  It's so interesting how different surgeons are.  I just haven't been to the surgeons since September.  Since I don't own a scale, I don't know if I have stayed the same or gained a little.  I just know that I have not lost any!!!  I'm not afraid of being told to lose a few lbs. but I just don't want my surgery to be put off too long.
Can you tell I have ants in my pants?!?!

Stephanie