My friend had to lose 13 pounds before having gastric bypass surgery. I'm going to the same doctor, so I wonder if I will too.

If I could lose 13 pounds, I would have done it. Do you know what I mean? The only way I figure I could do it would be to go on a liquid diet.

Did you have to lose weight before the surgery and why?

10 minutes ago, imaginegirl said:

My friend had to lose 13 pounds before having gastric bypass surgery. I'm going to the same doctor, so I wonder if I will too.

If I could lose 13 pounds, I would have done it. Do you know what I mean? The only way I figure I could do it would be to go on a liquid diet.

Did you have to lose weight before the surgery and why?

Hi! I think it depends on your weight & what not. For me, I weighed in at the doctors at 227. I’m 5’5, and they haven’t required me to lose anything at all.

Yes, I had to lose 77 lbs before I could have surgery. Some insurance policies require people to lose 10% of their body weight. Thirteen pounds doesn't seem like that much. Count your calories a do some walking each day. As part of the pre-op you will probably meet with a nutritionist, so ask them for help.

I understood weight loss is required for everyone though not linked to insurance requirements in Aust as it is in the US. Basically, the weight loss is to reduce any fattiness around your liver which allows the surgeon greater visualisation & movement around your stomach when they operate. It also shows a commitment to the weightloss program.

You will be sent to a dietician who will put you on a diet & will monitor your pre surgical weight loss. They will guide you through the post surgical weight loss journey as well.

I was put on a keto diet for two weeks prior to surgery & lost 4.2kgs. My BMI was 35. Your surgeon will have his requirements as will your insurance company based on your individual case. You can’t really compare.

Treat this pre surgery time as when you begin to re-educate yourself & start your new lifestyle - how you eat, what you eat & new exercise routine. This is a life long change.

I had my surgery in Australia, I had no pre-op diet or weight loss requirements. Just clear fluids day of surgery. My BMI was on the lower side at 37 so that may have been why. Different surgeons all seem to have different approaches.

The mandatory weight loss is to denonstrate you can comply with your nutrition requirements and thus evidence that the surgery is more likely to help you. How much you need to lose varies. I had to show I lost something every month... absolutely no gain... but something lost. Othere have specific weight goals. And some docs dont care if you gain, but most want a loss.

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