require to lose weight before surgery

Desdemona · July 14, 2008

The insurance companies use your weight at the time of your medical intake appointment for the BMI guide. The first 20lbs is the easiest to lose because it's mostly Water, glucose, and fat around your liver that drops fast. Taking it off makes your surg. faster and more accurate. It’s easier/faster for the surg to get in next to your stomach. You will have a better band fit which will help you lose weight more effectively on the band. It also decreases risk of complication (slippage) later on. I would think that you would WANT to have the band placed in a way that maximizes your chance of a good band fit with reduced chance of complications! Also, the insurance companies and surgeons also know that although the band is effective -- it is really important that it is matched to the right patients --- or it will not work. In addition to the medical aspects --- most surg require the weight loss to identify patients who are at risk for disappointing banding outcome.

Insky67 · July 14, 2008

I was put on a pre-op diet and my doc said the weight I lost before surgery would not affect my insurance paying for surgery. That they report my starting weight when I first went to the doc.

The idea of the diet was to shrink my liver, it can get in the way of the surgery process and the last thing you want it for your liver to get cut or in the way. I found the pre-op diet to be easy...it was only for two weeks. I had two shakes in the day and a light dinner of chicken or fish and one green veggie.

This was much easier than the WEEKS of liquids you have to be on after the surgery. You can do it.

tigereyegreen · July 16, 2008

I would like to thank everyone who responded to my question about losing 20 lbs. I have already lost 11 lbs and I feel much better after reading everthing ya'll wrote. So I am hoping the surgery will take place 7-25-08 so please everyone just say a prayer for all of us that are fixing to have surgery. thanks