Do you have to lose any weight before getting surgery?

I was told I'll need a three week liquid diet before surgery. I haven't scheduled yet. I don't think that's for me to lose weight before surgery. But I would imagine weight loss is inevitable with it.

You go on a liquid diet for two weeks prior to surgery in order to shrink your liver and prepare you for the operation. As I understand it, they want your liver smaller and out of the way to protect it from getting nicked. Some insurance companies require weight loss before surgery to prove your commitment, but you have to be careful not to lose so much that you no longer qualify.

Ok thanx guys!

It all depends on the doctor and your weight. Some require a pre surgery diet, my doctor did not require me to do one.

I have heard from people with very high bmi that were required to lose a certain amount of weight before surgery was considered safe for them. That would be on the very high end however.

I had to do a one month liquid diet prior to surgery. I was expected to lose 5 pounds per week. The morning of my surgery, they came in with the scale to make sure i had lost 20 pounds. I am happy to report that i had my surgery that day. For me, I am glad i did one month, I was mentally prepared for the days after surgery. I love my sleeve and wouldn't change it for anything. Just remember, this is YOUR journey- make it work for you.

Every surgeon is different

Talk to your doctor.

I've seen everything from 24 hours of liquids to 1 month or longer on here

I've seen requirements as long as 6 months of dieting, before the pre-op liver-shrinking diet.

And I've seen requirements as lax as "no foods or liquids after midnight the night before surgery."

It all depends on the doctor and your weight. Some require a pre surgery diet, my doctor did not require me to do one.

I believe it can also have something to do with what your insurance requires, also.

I wasn't required to lose weight, but I did. I also had to do the 2 wk liquid diet to shrink the liver and I think I lost about 9 lbs at that time.

Thanx everyone !! I will be checking with my doctor to see what I have to do...I met with my surgeon already I'm still in the early stages as far as all the test being done/ EKG and sleep study/ psych and everything else I won't be getting surgery until November. Still don't have as of yet all I know is it will be in November...I'm so ready to get the process going.

Every doc is different - go ask them because you want to be sure that you don't do anything to mess up insurance coverage or whatever. I was very high BMI - over 50 - and all I had to do was the 2 week liver shrinking/low carb diet. It about killed me. Honestly, those 2 weeks plus perhaps the first 3 weeks post op were very very hard for me but it was oh so worth it!!!

My doctor required me to lose 10% of my weight prior to surgery.

I am only required to maintain my weight, cannot gain anything. I've maintained for 4 months and have another month before surgery. liquid diet is limited to 24 hours prior to my surgery.