Lose weight before surgery?

[JustJess1211 2]

My doctor is telling me I need to lower my bmi before surgery or it could be postponed. Did anyone else have to do this?

[Macy6 356]

My Dr. is requiring me a 5# weight loss (to shrink the liver) and I was told by the nutritionist that they will weigh me before the start of my 10 day pre op diet and the last day and if I don't loose that they will postpone. My Dr. told me to loose as much weight as I could before surgery, the lower the BMI, the less you weigh the safer it is.

[makemyownluck 785]

I had a surgeon tell me she wouldn't even consider operating unless I lost 50 lbs first.

I immediately found a new surgeon. And this one sees no reason to make me do that (I told him about the previous surgeon).

It never hurts to get a 2nd opinion.

[brandy88 151]

I didn't and thank god

[Garlandfam 12]

It wasn't a requirement for me but they preferred it and on 1000Kcals per day it was inevitable. Besides it helps them see better so they don't nick anything that is nit suppose to be nicked!

[Jacqueline Marie 73]

I have lost 10lbs so far on my own, but I know the doctors want us to lose some weight to shrink our organs before we go into surgery. << Another reason why we go on the 2 week diet. Plus once you start losing a few on your own.. It makes you feel great, and makes you start eating healthy so your not struggling after surgery.

[makemyownluck 785]

Just to clarify -- I'm not suggesting that a surgeon asking you to lose weight is a bad thing. The surgeon I saw first was just particularly rude, and it seemed that asking me to lose 50lbs was excessive.

If you go on a liquid diet, you'll lose weight. Even if you go on a partial liquid diet with shakes as Meal Replacements twice a day, you'll lose weight. As long as your surgeon isn't setting an unrealistic goal (50 lbs was excessive, IMO), then there's no reason you shouldn't try. Besides, the more you lose pre-op, the closer you are to goal!

[JustJess1211 2]

Well I started my liquid diet a week ago and lost 7lbs. I got for a weight check tomorrow. I'm just nervous they will postpone. I'm ready to get this over with.

I know it's to be safer with the surgery but if I could just drop lbs on my own that fast I would not be doing this surgery.

[Yoli3925 67]

I had to lose 25 lbs before my surgery was even scheduled. I'm now on a pre-op diet to shrink my liver even more.

[JustJess1211 2]

What was the reason you had to lose the 25lbs?

[Yoli3925 67]

What was the reason you had to lose the 25lbs?

I started at 410 lbs and I needed to get down to lower bmi for surgery. The higher the bmi the more dangerous the surgery is how it was explained to me.

[JustJess1211 2]

Well that makes since. I'm just not happy with that. I just want to get it over with. I'm hoping it will be ok tomorrow.

[Macy6 356]

I have this grand plan in my head (that has not panned out yet) That if I take a month and cut back to 1800 calories and drop to 1500 the month after and then the last two months get really strict about what I am eating that it will better prepare me. Unfortunately one of the reasons we are in the positions we are in is the fact that this is an incredible struggle. hang in there!

[JustJess1211 2]

You got that right, incredible struggle!! Thanks!! Here's hoping it all works out.

[Not Applicable 52]

Wow, 7 lbs. in a week is pretty good pre-op. I think it will definitely show them you are committed. Please keep us informed on how it goes...