This morning I attended the four hour orientation in Richmond, California as apart of Kaiser Northern California's Bariatrics Program and I did watch the mandatory WLS Surgery movie with commentary by one of the four doctors of the program.

The doctor said that fatty tissue may complicate the surgery, thus the reason to losing weight preopt to make sure the success rate is high. I wasn't prepared to get weight this morning but I can assure you I'm over the BMI qualifications (I stand at 5'2 at 229 lbs -insert embarrassed face-). He also said that in the Richmond's program there isn't a set percent or weight that they can automatically give you to lose prior to surgery, however, if they feel that you need to lose weight they will tell you.

So am I to lose weight and then lose more weight on the PreOpt diet? Or is it the same?

What worked for you and how much did you lose?

Feed back welcomed.

Hmmmm...I'm not sure what your insurance requirements are, that might be your biggest question to get answered. What your Dr. said is just what will happen. When you get called in, they will tell you what you need to lose, if any. The pre-op diet is pretty much to reduce your fatty liver, so they can see better during the surgery - kinda reduces the size of it so it is not in the way so much. You should lose quite a bit during that phase, but it's not a happy time for most, as a liquid diet is not so pleasant! And be prepared, some don't lose any or much weight for the first few weeks, as the swelling weighs a lot. Once you get rid of the swelling, you should really start losing. So many people get frustrated during this period, and lose patience, thinking they made the wrong decision. Like everything else, this, too, shall pass, and, if you follow all the rules, you will do great!!! Good luck to you on you journey!

Depends on your insurance - My insurance required me to lose some weight, period. Wether it be during the 6 months of classes or just the pre-op diet, they didn't care. I actually maintained on the 6 month diet (lost some and gained it back) but lost 19lbs on the 10 day preop.

I've seen some cases where people did not have to lose weight preop, is there a purpose to that? Some where over 40 bmi .

I'm so excited for you! I went through Kaiser Richmond too.

When you have your one-on-one appointment with your surgeon - they will tell you what your weight loss goal is. Mine was only 5lbs - but a coworker of mine through the same program had to lose 8lbs.

Good luck!!!

@@vsgjess If you don't mind me asking, what was your starting BMI?

Starting at the orientation my bmi was 46.3.... I'm about 5 days from the operation and my bmi is 43.9. I've lost more than the required amount the doctor gave me.

Starting at the orientation my bmi was 46.3.... I'm about 5 days from the operation and my bmi is 43.9. I've lost more than the required amount the doctor gave me.

Congratulations!!

@@likelike thank you! I'm sorry to hear about the attitudes of some of the people from your class though ????

@@vsgjess It's all a learning curve. I'm just glad I found a great site to get positive support.

I'm not sure why there is so much discrepancy amongst the surgeons regarding pre-op weight loss, I wonder if the liver enzyme blood test has anything to do with it? Anybody?

@vsgjess who was your doctor?