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Criteria For Surgery

Surgery should be considered, if the individual meets the following criteria as outlined by the National Institutes of Health:

  • BMI greater than 40
  • BMI 35 kg/m or greater with significant co-morbidities
  • Severe sleep apnea
  • Severe diabetes mellitus
  • Cardiopulmonary
  • Disabling arthritis
  • Well-informed and highly motivated to lose the weight
  • Evidence/History of previous attempts or motivation to lose weight
  • Understanding the risks and benefits
  • Committed to lifelong lifestyle change and long-term follow-up care
  • Documented non-surgical attempts at weight loss
  • Absence of drug or alcohol problems
  • Evaluation by a multidisciplinary team (medical, surgical, internist, psychiatric and dietitian)

Who is Not a Surgical Candidate?

  • People who would not be considered or eligible for surgery are:
  • Pregnant women
  • Alcoholics and drug addicts
  • People who have a life expectancy of only a few years (over 65 years of age)
  • Extremely young children
  • Unmotivated to commit to lifelong lifestyle change