It might seem counterintuitive to lose weight before receiving weight loss surgery. If the surgery will eliminate excess weight, why do you need to lose any beforehand? However, many physicians and insurance companies require patients to do just that. To help you understand the importance of weight loss for surgery, Dr. Andrei and the team at Bariatric Associates, P.A. take a closer look at this key pre-operative requirement.
A Head Start for Your Success
It’s generally recommended that patients lose at least 8% of their excess body weight in the four weeks prior to their bariatric surgery. Doing so comes along with plenty of well-documented benefits, as it has been shown to increase post-operative weight loss over a 12-month period. It also assists in reducing your liver an appropriate size, helping to lessen the risk for complications during the procedure. Plus, instilling healthy habits into your routine before surgery provides momentum that can fuel your post-surgery success for years to come.
Achieving Weight Loss for Surgery
Dr. Andrei and the team at Bariatric Associates, P.A. works with our patients to help them achieve weight loss for surgery. A typical pre-operative diet plan consists of 1,000-1,200 calories per day, with patients also participating in daily exercise. As your advocate for better health, your bariatric team will provide you with a weight loss goal and keep track of your results. You can also monitor your progress by calculating the excess body weight you’ve lost between appointments. Here’s how:
- Subtract your goal weight from your starting weight. The remainder represents your total excess body weight.
- Use the second row of this percentage calculator to input the amount of weight you’ve lost so far in the first box. Then, enter your excess body weight in the second box.
- Click “calculate” to discover the percentage of how much excess body weight you’ve already lost.
- Subtract that percentage from the recommended 8% to find out how much more weight you have left to lose before surgery.
Always double check your numbers with Dr. Andrei and keep him informed of your progress between visits. By working together with Dr. Andrei and the team at Bariatric Associates, P.A., it’s completely possible to achieve the recommended weight loss for surgery and give yourself a head start on your post-operative success.
The Support You Need
Hearing the news that you need to achieve weight loss for surgery may feel discouraging, but Dr. Andrei and the team at Bariatric Associates, P.A. is here to guide you every step of the way. Aside from equipping you with a diet and exercise plan, we also provide several resources to make your weight loss journey a positive one. For instance, you can install the Baritastic App on your mobile device, which helps you keep track of your weight loss, nutrition, pre-operative requirements, and more. You can also connect with other bariatric patients and share your experiences by joining our support group.
When you’re ready to explore whether bariatric surgery is right for you, look no further than Valeriu E. Andrei, M.D., Bariatric Associates, P.A. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Andrei at one of our three New Jersey locations in West Orange, Livingston, or South Plainfield.
