Qualifying for Surgery

Are You a Candidate for Surgical Weight Loss?

In 1991, as bariatric surgery became increasingly recognized as the most effective means of long term weight control, the National Institute of Health set out to define degrees of obesity, and determine who might be an appropriate candidate for surgical weight loss treatment.

A multidisciplinary panel was assembled and concluded that medical treatment for obesity, including diets, exercise, medications, hypnosis, etc. was effective for achieving long-term weight control in less than 5 percent of very obese patients. The panel also concluded that while surgical weight loss treatment is associated with some additional risks, it is much more effective at achieving and sustaining long-term weight reduction in morbidly obese patients than are other methods.

The panel’s recommendations have led to the following criteria for selecting candidates for bariatric surgery:

Candidates for surgical weight loss must have failed in at least one valid attempt at medical weight loss treatment.

Bariatric Surgery Candidates must be:

• 100 lbs or more over ideal body weight (as determined by 1983 Metropolitan Life tables)
• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater
• Be at least 75 lbs over their ideal body weight (or BMI over 35) with at least one serious obesity-related disease that is difficult to treat without weight loss.
• Additionally Candidates for Surgical Weight Loss must:
• Be free of drug and alcohol dependence.
• Not currently pregnant.
• Be free of unstable psychiatric disorder or psychosis.
• Be between ages 18 to 65.*

* Candidates outside this age range must be evaluated for bariatric surgery on an individual basis

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