Patient Criteria for Bariatric Surgery
To qualify for weight reduction surgery the patient should have a:
- Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher.
- BMI of 35 or higher, and have obesity related disorders such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or/and other problems.
- Demonstrated history of unsuccessful weight loss by non-surgical means such as diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications.
Get your BMI score by using our BMI Calculator.
Less than 18.5: Underweight
18.5 - 24.9: Healthy
25.0 - 29.9: Overweight
30.0 or more: Obese
In addition, patients must have:
- A primary care physician willing to provide care long-term
- Consultation with a dietician and a psychiatrist
- Preoperative tests including chest X-ray, EKG, complete blood count, serum chemistry panel, thyroid function test, B12, iron levels, as well as other tests indicated by individual medical conditions.
We cannot perform bariatric surgery on patients who:
- Have an eating disorder or an endocrine disorder causing obesity
- Are alcohol or drug dependent
- Are planning to become pregnant soon
- Have been diagnosed with major psychiatric illness
- Are adolescents
Bariatric surgery involves substantial and permanent changes in the stomach and gastrointestinal physiology. The patient should be thoroughly convinced that he or she has exhausted all reasonable alternatives of weight loss before selecting surgery.
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