Eligibility Criteria

Health Resources:

Adult BMI Calculator Rather than relying on the bathroom scale to tell you if you're overweight, BMI takes into account your weight and height to indicate body fat. The goal for most people: a BMI that's over 18 and under 25.

Generally, suitable candidates for weight loss surgery are:

• Between the ages of 18 and 65 (individuals who are younger or older than this age bracket are considered on a case-by-case basis).
• Obese with a high body mass index, or BMI. Body mass index is a calculation of body weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. A BMI over 35 is considered severely obese, and a BMI over 40 is considered morbidly obese. Surgery is appropriate for patients with a BMI of 40, or 35 with a life-threatening co-morbidity such as type II diabetes, sleep apnea, or uncontrolled hypertension.
• Struggling with an obesity-related condition, like hypertension, heart disease, or sleep apnea.
• Currently trying to or have tried in the past to lose weight through other means, such as diet and exercise.
• Psychologically ready for weight loss surgery and willing to commit to dramatic post-operative lifestyle changes.

How Can I Prepare for Weight Loss Surgery?

There are several aspects of the surgery which require preparation. First, the physical aspect, may require weight loss surgery candidates to follow a medically supervised weight loss program involving diet and exercise. Losing some of the excess weight pre-operatively allows our surgeons to perform a safer and more effective surgery and helps our patients to recover faster. Additionally, since the surgery is just one component of a comprehensive weight loss program, patients must understand and prepare for the mental and emotional aspects of the surgery. Patients undergo a psychological evaluation to assess their mental readiness for the surgery and the lifestyle changes that must accompany it for long-lasting, successful results.

Pre-Surgery Evaluation

Once a patient meets the specified criteria and has attended a bariatric seminar the next step is to schedule a consultation with a surgeon. It is important for you to become educated about bariatric surgery, so you can be prepared to ask the surgeon any questions you may have about the procedures.

During the surgical consultation appointment, the patient will meet with the surgeon and his support staff. The surgeon will review the patient’s health history, and conduct an in-depth discussion regarding surgical techniques and risks. The surgeon will inform the patient of further consultations or tests needed to determine candidacy for surgery. You will be provided with a checklist of pre-operative requirements which must be completed prior to having surgery. The sooner these pre-operative requirements are completed the sooner we can schedule your surgery. You will subsequently be notified of your surgery date and whether additional material is needed.

Attend a Free Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Seminar