Am I A Candidate?

If you are unable to lose weight and maintain weight loss through a structured, medical weight-loss program that includes strict dietary management, physical exercise, lifestyle changes, and/or medication, you may be a candidate for weight loss, or bariatric, surgery.

Candidates for surgery are generally:

• Post pubescent
• Severely obese (BMI of 40 or more; 100 pounds or more overweight)
• Obese (BMI of 35-39.9) and suffering from obesity-related disease (high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes, heart or lung disease).
• Experiencing personal, work-related, or relationship problems due to obesity
• Able to commit to long-term medical follow-up, as well as the lifestyle, dietary, and exercise changes necessary to maintain health after surgery
• Willing to undergo a psychological evaluation to understand the responsibilities of life after weight loss surgery and ensure there are no considerations that could interfere with long term success

Surgery may be associated with its own set of problems, such as infection, poor wound healing, and rarely even death. Therefore, you and your surgeon should carefully discuss the risks of your current health condition compared to the risks and benefits of surgery.

Remember:

1. Weight loss surgery is not cosmetic surgery
2. Weight loss surgery does not involve the removal of adipose tissue (fat) by suction or surgery.
3. You must commit to long-term lifestyle changes, including healthy diet and exercise, which are key to the success of weight loss surgery.