Question:
At my consultation the Dr wanted me to try to lose 20-25 pounds before surgery.
The Dr said it would help for the laproscopic procedure. I also had to quit smoking. I was 356 at the consultation and now i am 362. I am worried that I will not be able to get the laproscopic procedure done. Any suggestions???? Remember I had to quit smoking and if anyone has been down that path quitting smoking and weight loss do not go together. I did quit smoking though. — bigeman (posted on January 15, 2008)
January 15, 2008
I had the VBG with Sleeve on 12/18/07 and it was done laproscopicly. When I
went for my consultation on 9/3/07 I weighed 383. The morning of surgery I
weighed 367. So you shoukd be able to have it done. Good Luck!
— AutumnRain
January 15, 2008
Every doctor is different. My doc told me if I was over goal by even a
pound on the morning of surgery, it would be cancelled. Congratulations on
quitting smoking! I know that one's hard, I did it 7 years ago. What are
you willing to do now? Can you get out and move a little more every day?
That might help. Have you been referred to a nutritionist? If not, that
would be a great place to start. My doc requires weight loss prior to
surgery, but also requires you do it under the supervision of their
nutritionist, so that they are sure you are doing it safely.
If you are stuck with an open procedure instead of lap, that's not the
worst thing. The worst thing would be to have the procedure cancelled
entirely. As someone who has had open abdomenal surgery (c-section), it's
not the worst thing in the world. Good Luck!
— Shirley D.
January 15, 2008
Most surgeons want you to loose some weight prior to surgery. This makes
the LAP procedure easier for them. One reason is a fatty liver. Less fat on
the liver makes the RNY procudure much easier to do. My surgeon refused to
do the surgery unless I lost some weight in the last 3 weeks prior to
surgery. I gave up sodas, started some exercise, drank water, gave up any
sweets and tried to "eat right". I lost 17 pounds, and he did the
surgery. I started at 340 and I'm down to 204 this morning. One of the
reasons I gained weight over the years, was the loss of smoking. Do
something with your hands besides eat. Your smoking habit has trasferred
to eating. Put something in the hand that you smoked with, and I bet that
helps you out.
— Dave Chambers
January 16, 2008
First, Earl. congratulations on not smoking! My surgeon's practice is very
strict about that, to the point that surgery is cancelled if on the day of
surgery you have a positive nicotine test. Second, I agree with Shirley and
Dave. My surgeon discharges you from the program if you gain weight from
one visit to another, and also cancels surgery if you gain weight on
surgery day. As Dave commented, losing weight reduces the size of the
liver, but it also shows our commitment to losing weight (to ourselves, the
surgeon, and most importantly to the insurance company), and gets us
accostomed to the postop diet. It's not a matter of whether or not you'd
have a laproscopic versus open procedure! Good luck, and as Dave suggested
make sure you are followed by a nutritionist. Mine has helped tremendously
getting me ready for the postop diet, answering questions whether or not
some foods are acceptable, and just generally giving positive
reinforcement. If your surgeon doesn't have one in his group ask for a
referral to one. One more thing - attending support groups will also help
to give you the encouragement and strength to continue on the program -
again, ask your surgeon for outside referrals if he does not have them. My
surgeon's office accepts patients from other practices for the groups -
they really help!
— obeseforever
January 16, 2008
I was 440lbs, lost 35lbs by just going on liquid diet (soups) chicken broth
etc. at surgery was 405 lbs, liver was not in the way, surgery went well,
also liquid diet will get you started for post op liquid diet, I'm 5 month
post op today (16th), down to 300lbs now.
it took 2 months for the 35lbs to come off.
— savage24
January 16, 2008
Hi Earl. Congratulation of kicking the cigarette habit! I know how tough
it is on one emotionally and physically.
Obviously from the varied answers, pre-op weight loss is a surgeon thing.
My surgeon did not require any pre-op diet until 7 days before surgery;
Soup, Sandwich, and Salad for 4 days, and clear liquids for 3 days pre-op.
(My rny is Monday, 21 Jan.) He told us that whether or not he could
perform the procedure laproscopicly (sp?) was determined by how
"thick" our belly is. The instruments are long, but not
adjustable, and extra girth is added by the gas they put in the abdomen.
The liver is also a consideration because it sits in front of a portion of
the stomach and intestine that the surgeon needs to access. A low/no carb,
high protein diet will help reduce the size of a fatty liver in a very
short time.
And, even a few pounds lost before surgery helps with a number of
co-morbidity issues. - dj
— DJ Wood
January 16, 2008
They want you to lose weight because your liver sits on top of your stomach
and it has to be raised. When you lose weight the first of the fat to go
comes off the liver making the surgery easier to perform. Call your doctor
and talk to him. He will be understanding and tell you if he can work
arround your problems. Quiting smoking is a must. Your lungs need to be
clean for you to be able to breath better and do your excersize.
— William (Bill) wmil
January 16, 2008
My surgeon puts us on a full liquid diet for two weeks prior to surgery to
shrink the liver and detox the body. I lost about 18lbs, but had lost about
25lbs prior to that by making lifestyle changes I would have to make after
surgery -- so that worked for me.
Lifestyle changes were - no soda or carbonation of any type. I reduced my
portion sizes to a fist size. Stayed within the ratio of per 100 calories
no more than 3g of fat and 6g of sugar. It not only aided in the weight
loss, but got me used to the foods I would have to eat after surgery making
the transition easier. The full liquid diet wasn't so bad once you get over
you are not chewing anything for 2 weeks, and being a carnivore, you miss
that. LOL. Good luck. Hope that helps.
— jammerz
January 16, 2008
Fantastic for quitting smoking. That is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!! I quit July
26, 1986, that was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I still
have nightmares where I smoke a cig. I wake up in cold sweats, because I
know if I were to smoke even one I would be a smoker again. Don't ever do
it. You are done with smoking. Congrats!!! As for the weight loss just
do the best you can. Anyone who can quit smoking can do anything!!! Get
moving if you can. I will all be alright! Keep us posted. Pat
— pjennjr
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