Am I a Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?

Am I Obese?

Qualifications

The Decision

Obesity results from the excessive accumulation of fat that exceeds the body's skeletal and physical standards. Severe obesity, sometimes known as "morbid obesity", is defined according to the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company height and weight tables as being 100 pounds or 100 percent above ideal body weight . According to the National Institutes of Health, an increase in 20 percent or more above your ideal body weight is the point at which excess weight becomes a health risk.

Today 97 million Americans, more than one-third of the adult population, are overweight or obese. An estimated five to ten million of those are considered morbidly obese. According to the New National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute obesity guidelines, Body Mass Index (BMI) is currently the best assessment of a person’s obesity since it is simple to use, accurate in determining the degree of obesity, takes both height and weight into consideration and applies to both men and women.

BMI is used extensively in managing surgical weight reduction.

Calculate your BMI 

What does it mean?

• A BMI from 18.5 through 24.9 indicates a healthy weight
• A BMI from 25.0 through 29.9 indicates an overweight condition
• A BMI from 30 through 39.9 indicates moderate obesity
• A BMI of 40 or above indicates severe obesity

Qualifications

You are a candidate for surgery if you:

• Have a BMI greater than or equal to 35 with one or more significant obesity-related conditions including:
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Arthritis
  • Sleep apnea
  • Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
  • High cholesterol
  • Psudotumor cerebri
  • Family history of early coronary heart disease

Other possible indications for patients with BMI's between 35 and 40 include:

• Obesity-induced physical problems interfering with lifestyle (back or joint pain)
• Body size problem precluding or severely interfering with social life (employment, family function, and/or ambulation)
• Have a BMI greater than 40 regardless of the presence of other medical condition
• Are 20 to 60 years old (with some exceptions)
• Have failed multiple attempts with supervised dietary, behavioral and medical therapy
• Understand and accept the operative risks
• Have realistic expectations and are motivated
• Are capable of understanding the procedure and its implications
• Have a lifelong commitment to lifestyle changes and long-term follow-up care