I've been reading where a lot of programs require you to lose some weight before you can get banded. I'm wondering if it's just an arbitrary number of pounds to show you are committed or if it's a % of your body weight or something.

I didnt have to, but then I have a BMI of 35.

But it would annoy me and insult me to be told that I had to prove my commitment to the surgery. Having to lose weight under the enormous pressure of being denied surgery if you dont proves nothing if you ask me. Its just cruel and not at all understanding of the troubles obese people have with food. I wouldnt choose a surgeon that demanded it.

Although my surgeon isn't requiring weight loss as a condition of surgery; he would like to see me lose 10-15 pounds before. The two week liquid diet prior to surgery will likely achieve that goal without any additional effort on my part.

I did not have to lose before surgery. I was 330 lbs and 5'6"

My doc is in the same practice as Lauren's, and I also wasn't told to lose weight before surgery. And there wasn't any special pre-op diet when I had surgery, either.

That said I think its sensible to treat yourself well before surgery though. Take your vitamins, keep exercising, dont eat everything not nailed down. I simply cannot believe how easily I recovered from this surgery and I swear its because I was so healthy (if pleasantly plump) beforehand.

My surgeon didn't require that I lose weight prior to surgery but recommended that I try to lose 3-5 pounds.

I wasn't told to lose weight but I had to go on a pre-op liquid diet so I did lose a few lbs.

I was required to lose 5lbs before they would schedule my surgery. Then, once I lost the 5 lbs I was told that if I gained even 1 lb before surgery I would be taken off of the schedule. After some big time stressing I don't think they even compared my weights at my final pre-op appointment.

I had to go on a 2 week pre-op diet. No specific amount of weight to lose was mentioned, my surgeon wants you to lose some weight to shrink your liver so it's not so big and is easier to get to the stomach to place the band. I lost 19 lbs before surgery.

no pre-op diet, no required weightloss.