No Weight-Loss Before Surgery!

[Mrs. 2012 Banded 2]

Hello,

My insurance company required me to attend a three month course, once a week, on WLS before we all get approved for the surgery. They moniter our weight loss with a weekly weigh-in. I have not really been trying my hardest to lose weight during those three months (Two pound weight loss total). I will of course kick it in gear once the pre-op liquid diet starts. So here's my question(s)! Has anyone had to postpone their surgery by Dr.'s order for them to lose weight before they actually have the surgery? Has your insurance company denied you because you didn't lose weight before surgery? I have Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Maryland. I don't think this will happen, but it is a minor concern. Also for those of you who have had the band, were you successful after surgery even thought you had no weight loss prior to the pre-op diet?

About Maegen:

Age: 23

Weight: 274

First Pre-op: January 6th, 2012

Second Pre-op: February 2, 2012

Thank You!

[pugsx3 39]

I 've got BCBS-IL, and actually gained weight while doing the nutrition appts - I had to do 6 months. iiThe surgeon subitted it for approval based on that, and was approved. He would not schedule the surgery until he had approval. My pre-op diet per the surgeons orders was 3 weeks of nothing but Protein Shakes - 3 per day. If I was still crazy hungry, I could have 1 zone bar. I lost 23 lbs in those three weeks, and was able to get my surgery.

[Mrs. 2012 Banded 2]

I would have had to do six months, but I have been a weight watchers member for over a year now, so they only made me do three months. I'm glad to hear that! I don't think it will be an issue but it's still a minor concern..Thanks!

[armymom2012 51]

I had to go on a 1200 calorie, partial liquid, partial soft food, veggies and fruit two weeks prior and a liquid puree diet the week before. I only lost 2#'s but they did the surgery, but they also said that my liver was still pretty fatty at the time of surgery. I cheated a bit on the 2 week phase, but now think if I had went by the rules, it would have been an easier transition after surgery and possibly less pain because of the size of my liver. Now I am 5 days past surgery, still in a bit of pain, but i do get full really fast even though i have not been given a fill. That is because of the gas they fill you up with, keeps you swollen and not really into eating much. So far 8#'s down.

Good luck to ya.

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

I didn't have to do a pre-op medically supervised weight loss diet for my insurance so I can't speak to that. I did have to do a minimum of 4 weeks of a liver shrinkage diet before my surgeon would operate on me. My nutritionist said the average weight lost during that diet was 25 pounds. I "only" lost 19.5, but I was still able to have surgery.

My feeling is that you do need to get your rear in gear pretty soon because pre-op weight loss is a good thing. It gives you a head start on weight loss, it improves the size and texture of your liver, and it also makes your surgery safer.

[CallMeStacy 7]

I have BCBSNJ and I had a 6 month wait before surgery but my WLS Consultant submitted my request 3 months early and I was approved. I didn't even try to lose weight during that time. I did however work very hard at the pre-op diet (it isn't easy) and I cheated a few times, but I lost 12lbs in that 2 weeks. After I was banded I lost 9lbs in less then 9 days but am at a stand still right now. Your body kinda fights it for a little while. But I am not hungry at all and I have to remind myself to eat something. I am on the soft diet this week and am basically sticking to the full liquid diet with very little soft foods. I am afraid that something will get stuck LOL I know this is not as easy as I thought it would be but it is getting easier. Just keep reminding yourself that it will all payoff in the long run.

Good luck to you =0)

[readytogoforit 172]

they asked me to started a 1200 calorie food journal. I dug in whole heartedly and lost 30 lbs by surgery time! they asked that I lose 10 lbs.

I decided if I wanted to make this work, I had to get into the correct mindset. my doc and nutritionist made it very clear that the gastric band was not a miracle. If it worked it would be because I worked. I am happy they started me this way.

I want this to be the last time I have to get rid of extra weight. I want to live, to be physically active and healthy.

[otaknam 28]

I have been doing the liquid diet from Jan 1 to present. And have my band on Jan 30th. in less the 24 hours. I have lost 275 to 252 in this month but glad I started early. I can say other then the thought of KFC chicken I have no cravings. And I am also got myself programed for what is to come.

[Mrs. 2012 Banded 2]

I didn't have to do a pre-op medically supervised weight loss diet for my insurance so I can't speak to that. I did have to do a minimum of 4 weeks of a liver shrinkage diet before my surgeon would operate on me. My nutritionist said the average weight lost during that diet was 25 pounds. I "only" lost 19.5, but I was still able to have surgery.

My feeling is that you do need to get your rear in gear pretty soon because pre-op weight loss is a good thing. It gives you a head start on weight loss, it improves the size and texture of your liver, and it also makes your surgery safer.

I'm not at the point of the pre-op liquid diet. I have to schedule my surgery date first. Some insurance companies make you do a 3 or 6 month waiting period before surgery. I am nearing the end of my second month. With one month left, and having surgery in March. Losing weight isn't a complete necessity to qualify for the surgery.

The facility where my surgery takes place has a class during that 3 or 6 month waiting period about what to expect after surgery. Most people seem to think I'm talking about the 2 week liquid diet when I'm not! I'm talking about a diet to lose weight before the liquid diet. But thanks!

[Melissannde 41]

I had no pre-op diet of any kind. I went down 2lbs on the Clear liquids day before surgery.. and that's all.

Did very very well after surgery. 20lbs in the first 6 weeks post-op, 100lbs gone by 7 months.

Do try to follow your doctor's orders/guidelines as best you can. If they want you to lose before surgery, do it.

[CallMeStacy 7]

Like I told you, I didn't even try to lose weight in that period because I was worried that if I lost weight BCBS would refuse my surgery. I was told by my WLS consultant that even if I did lose weight they would submit my highest weight to BCBS ... When you get to the pro-op diet, I am sure you will do just fine. Don't sweat the 'wait period' BCBS makes you go through. But I will tell you that to sooner you get used to not having big meals, carbs, and caffine, the easier the process will be. Just try to cut back on that stuff over the next month or so. You can do this !!!

Good luck =0)

[Mrs. 2012 Banded 2]

Like I told you, I didn't even try to lose weight in that period because I was worried that if I lost weight BCBS would refuse my surgery. I was told by my WLS consultant that even if I did lose weight they would submit my highest weight to BCBS ... When you get to the pro-op diet, I am sure you will do just fine. Don't sweat the 'wait period' BCBS makes you go through. But I will tell you that to sooner you get used to not having big meals, carbs, and caffine, the easier the process will be. Just try to cut back on that stuff over the next month or so. You can do this !!!

Good luck =0)

Yeah, I never drank caffine or soda anyway! I have cut down on carbs (a little LOL)! So right now I'm just playing the waiting game!

Thanks for your encouraging words!

Good Luck in your journey!

[pugsx3 39]

Like everyone else here, I would encourage you to start doing the right things now. There is no reason to put it off. Anything you lose now will put you that much closer to reaching your ultimate goal sooner, and gets you into good habits now. I wish I had put my head on straight sooner - I could have been 40-50 lbs ahead of the game. So although I did not take the supervised diet seriously - I wish I would have!