I went to my first appointment today with my surgeon. After taking my medical history (which is pretty extensive), he informs me I have to lose 40-50 lb before he will operate. I weigh 380 right now (BMI is 65.) After I picked my jaw off the ground, I replied that if I could do that, what do I need him for. He said the band will help me keep it off permanently.

I have kidney disease and all the other junk that comes with obesity, so I retain pounds and pounds of Water. If I could get it off, don't they realize I would have by now? And if I don't have this surgery soon, I will go into renal failure and lose my kidneys anyway. It's a vicious circle.

He is afraid I won't wake up from the anesthesia. Part of me is tempted to fly to Mx and take my chances rather than jump through hoops here in the states.

No one else that I've read about has had to lose that much weight pre-surgery. Does anyone think he's just being super cautious... any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,

Tina

Thanks for the advice Rene. I'm in Western Washington and seeing Dr. Oh who comes highly recommended (plus the price is right.)

The updated news is, his receptionist called today to book the EGD next week and scheduled surgery Aug 1 (which is my birthday, ironic enough.) I asked, what if I haven't lost enough weight by then? She replied that he WANTS me to lose but if not, they will still proceed. That seemed kind of fishy to me. He seemed adamant about me losing it first. So I'm just going to try my best and do all the preop.

Tina

I was 411 preop and told I needed to loose 40 pounds, BMI of 51. I did the pre diet schedule my doc gave me and I lost 26lbs pre op, I am now three weeks out and down a total of 52lbs.

I know it sounds crazy but you will need to loose the weight so the liver will shrink and then they can do the surgery. I to thought it would be inpossible for me to loose that much weight but because I did he did the surgery at 26lbs. It was to take 90min but only lasted 60. I know it sounds like mission inpossible but YOUCAN DO IT.

I also thought if I could loose that kind of weight why should I get the band, but you know what? That is why I was so big, I faltered alot. I need a tool that will help me stay on course. Good luck, if you need any info you can email me at boiseman2001@yahoo.com

I'd say its a lot of the issue.

He's right in that the more you weigh the higher the risks of surgery but you've certainly taken that into account. When it sounds like the advice is being given with a good big spoonful of judgement, I'd get my nose out of joint too.

At your weight, you're going to have to do the presurgery Optifast and you'd no doubt lose close to what he wants you to lose anyway. That's what's got me stumped. Nearly everyone has to do it so why single you out and just leave you with no assistance to get that weight off?

I think in the end you want a good doctor, not necessarily a nice one though so I dont really think you need to go doctor shopping, whatever weight you can lose is going to help you and make it safer. But putting specific numbers on it I think is stupid.