If you have been struggling to lose weight, a surgical or non-surgical procedure may be a good choice for you. Studies show that very few people are able to lose weight and keep it off long term. Bariatric surgery is the safest and most effective way to lose weight and improve health conditions associated with obesity. Recommendations for weight loss surgery use NIH guidelines published in the 1990s.
Am I a Candidate?
These guidelines use your Body Mass Index (BMI) and your medical history to determine your eligibility. BMI correlates your weight to your height (you can determine yours, using our calculator below). Although final recommendations can only be made after speaking with a weight loss surgeon, the general guidelines for being a candidate for a bariatric procedure are:
Weight Loss Balloon
If you are an adult with a BMI between 30 – 40, you may be a candidate for a weight loss balloon like Orbera or Obalon. The weight loss balloon is a non-surgical device that is placed in your stomach for 6 months.
BMI CALCULATOR
Monitor your Body Mass Index (BMI)
Weight Loss Surgery
Generally, bariatric surgeries like the Lap Band, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric bypass, are offered to patients who have a BMI over 40, with no related health conditions. Patients who have a BMI over 35 combined with at least one comorbidity (sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease), are also candidates for weight loss surgery.
If you have a BMI of 30 – 35 with at least one comorbidity related to obesity you may qualify for a Lap-Band.
The criteria for bariatric surgery for adolescents is somewhat different than the criteria for adults, so each case must be evaluated on an individual basis by one of our surgeons.
Revisional Weight Loss Surgery
Like with any medical condition, sometimes a single treatment is not enough. If you have regained weight after previous bariatric surgery or the intragastric balloon, you may be a candidate for a revisional procedure.
Every situation is different, so the best way to decide if weight loss surgery or the weight loss balloon is a good option for you is to contact and speak to surgeons. It can help you understand the risks and benefits of each procedure, as well as what may work best for your needs.
