Who is Eligible for Bariatric Surgery?

The National Institutes of Health set minimum requirements for recommending gastric bypass surgery or lap band surgery as a treatment option:

• 100 pounds or more above ideal body weight or a BMI of 40 or greater
• BMI of 35 or greater with one or more obesity-related health condition

Other qualifying factors may include:

• History of documented dietary weight loss attempts
• Lifelong commitment to dietary, exercise, and medical guidelines and follow-up care
• Psychological Evaluation
• Nutritional Evaluation

Together, we can take steps to determine:

• If surgery is the right treatment for you
• Which type of procedure is right for you

The pre-qualification process for weight loss surgery includes a series of tests. In addition, you also will meet with a nutritionist, psychologist, and other support staff members in sessions leading up to surgery. We are dedicated to helping you prepare for the changes and challenges that lie ahead.

If you have concerns about Weight Loss surgery, click here to contact us or call 1-866-976-9735.

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In 19991, a conference of the National Institutes of Health identified gastric weight-loss surgery as a safe and effective surgical treatment for obesity. This specialized surgery is intended for patients with a clearly documented history of failed diet attempts, are at least 80-100 pounds overweight or have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 40. Patients with a BMI greater than 35 with significant, life-threatening problems such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea or heart disease may also be candidates for surgery. Patients overweight by 100 pounds or more, without these health problems, may also be considered for surgery under certain conditions. Patients are typically between 18 and 60 years old.

Any questions click here to contact us or call 1-866-976-9735 to register for a Free Weight Loss Surgery Seminar where you can ask all of your questions directly to the surgeons. Click here to see a list of all of our upcoming seminars and support groups.

Bariatric surgery, sometimes referred to as obesity surgery or weight-loss surgery, is designed to allow patients to achieve long-term, significant weight loss. The surgery drastically diminishes the caloric intake through restricting the amount of food patients can ingest or altering the absorption of it.

Although the results of weight-loss surgery can be drastic, there are potential risks and complications. Patients should have a solid understanding of the procedure and should be educated on what they need to do to live well after the operation. Our surgeons will discuss the signs or symptoms of complications to look for which may occur after your weight-loss surgery.

The actual weight a patient will lose after the procedure is dependent on several factors. In general, weight-loss surgery success is defined as achieving loss of 50% or more of excess body weight and maintaining that level for at least five years. Results vary by patient and bariatric surgeon.