Losing weight before having bariatric surgery can seem like an odd concept. In some instances, it is a requirement to be approved for surgery, whereas in other situations, weight loss can just make your surgery more successful.

Risk Reduction

People who are obese might be required to lose weight before surgery simply to reduce the risks associated with the procedure. The larger you are, the less likely it is that the procedure can be done laparoscopically, which increases healing time and also may have a higher incidence of complications. Larger people generally have some additional risks associated with anesthesia, which can be magnified if they have health conditions that already affect their breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea or the need for oxygen therapy.

Prove You Have Self-Discipline

Sometimes surgeons will want you to lose weight before surgery as a way to prove to them you can stick to a regimen and follow instructions. Bariatric surgery is just one tool to aid in weight loss, and you will likely still need to make significant lifestyle changes for it to work. Your surgeon may provide you with a calorie limit and other instructions, such as eating low-carb and high-protein foods. This type of diet will be similar to the way you need to eat after the procedure. In the months following the surgery, it is easier to stick with a diet because your stomach forces you to eat smaller portions, and some foods will not sit well in your stomach. After the first six months to a year, if you have not significantly changed your lifestyle, you are at an increased risk of gaining the weight back.

Improve Your Fitness

Working on losing weight before surgery is not just about changing your diet; it can also include increasing your physical activity. For a while after surgery, you will be limited in the activities you can do, so it is better to go into a surgery being as healthy as possible to aid in recovery. People who have limited mobility should begin working on their walking with the help of a physical therapist or personal trainer well before they have surgery. They can start with simple exercises used to increase stamina, especially in their legs. Once you have surgery, you will need to move and cannot simply lie in bed; otherwise, you might develop blood clots.

Although bariatric surgery is designed to help you lose weight, you may need to lose some weight first. There are serious reasons you need to make the effort to shed weight before your surgery date.