Why Do I Have To Lose Weight For Lapband?

[patient 0]

Ive had the psych eval, endoscopy, and I have the money. When I went for the initial consult I weighed about 400 because I was dieting now Im back to 425. When I was at 400 they said I needed to lose 20 pounds. so now I need to lose 45 pounds before they will do the surgery. Is this normal to need to lose weight before the surgery? Mabye I should go to another doctor now so I only have to get down to 405.

[RIYAHSMOMMY 9]

yes that is normal, Dr. said I had to lose 27 before surgery, which will take place this morning . I lost 22 as of last Friday, Dr. said that was good.

[Cazzy 725]

I weighed 400 lbs when i first started but had to lose 30lbs pre-op its not just about losing weight its about making sure your liver has shrunk and that u dont have too much fat around the stomach so the band will actually fit , and ofc standing a better chance of recovering well from surgery .. this is the time when your resolve and determination of getting a band will indicate for you whether u can make it work for you post surgery .. good luck !

[Sojourner 2,446]

Cazzy is correct...and the band is only a tool; if you do not have the right motivation and determination to be compliant with diet and lifetime commitment to changes in your lifestyle and patterns of eating, you are likely to become discouraged and fail to loose weight.

The safest way to complete the placement of the band is with laparoscopic surgery; otherwise the surgeon has to do much larger incision. The risks of post op complications is increased. If your liver is too fatty, then the odds are that the surgeon will have to make the larger incision. The pre op diet is designed to both shrink the fat in the liver and to help you become acquainted with the diet compliance and lifetime changes for adopting healthier eating patterns and exercise.

Starting this journey with the mindset to find a different doctor who will let you skate by without loosing the weight necessary is not predictive of a positive weight loss journey for you. For success, though you may not like or agree with the "rules", however the rules and requirements are in place for valid reasons.

Seeking to change the rules to fit what you want to do tells me that you are not sufficiently motivated to change your beliefs about healthy eating and exercise. IMHO...

Loosing the required pre op weight is not an easy task...but you really need to get in touch with your reasons for wanting this surgery. The weight loss journey is one which required daily commitment to following the rules, and is not an easy walk in the park.

Best wishes...