Am I Eligible for Bariatric Surgery?

In certain cases, bariatric surgery can be a viable option to help achieve weight loss and support a healthy lifestyle. Depending on the specific procedure, adjustments are made that can change the form and function of the body’s digestive system. Weight loss surgery significantly changes how the body processes food, and it’s not right for everyone. There are specific criteria that need to be considered when determining eligibility for surgical weight loss to make sure it’s the right choice.  

Bariatric Surgery Eligibility Criteria 

Your healthcare provider will take into account a set of predetermined criteria when considering your eligibility for a bariatric weight loss consultation. These criteria include: 

• BMI – One important factor for determining if bariatric surgery is right for you is your body mass index or BMI. Weight loss surgery is indicated for individuals with a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 and above alongside health issues including sleep apnea, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and gallbladder disease. 
• Relative Body Weight – Your provider will also consider your current body weight in relation to your ideal, healthy weight. Patients with a body weight that is 100 pounds or 45 kilograms higher than the ideal weight are candidates for bariatric procedures. 
• Weight Loss History – Another key factor in deciding whether surgical weight loss is recommended is getting a detailed patient history in regards to weight loss attempts. This includes information on past diets, workout routines, and other weight management techniques. If continued efforts to lose weight through traditional methods have failed in the past, weight loss surgery can be a useful next step. 
• Co-existing Conditions – Medical history also weighs heavily in determining eligibility. There are certain health conditions that could rule out weight loss surgery, such as blood clotting disorders or conditions that make using anesthesia during surgery riskier. In addition, it’s essential to screen for the presence of uncontrolled drug or alcohol addiction or serious, untreated mental health conditions. These issues need to be controlled separately before considering weight loss surgery.  

Get an Expert Consultation 

Wellstar Bariatrics offers several bariatric surgery options, including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, duodenal switch, and LAP-BAND correction. The best way to find out if weight loss surgery is right for you is to schedule a consultation with an experienced provider. The experts at Wellstar Bariatrics are available to answer all of your questions, from whether you meet eligibility criteria to what kind of procedure would be best for you. Contact us today to set up an initial consultation or find out more about our services.