Everyone is not a candidate for weight loss surgery. While the final decision of whether or not you should have weight loss surgery is made by your surgeon, there are general guidelines that most surgeons and insurance companies adhere to when choosing who is an appropriate patient.
Surprisingly enough, patients can actually be too obese and not obese enough to qualify for weight loss surgery. Those who are too heavy are instructed to lose weight before the surgeon can proceed with the operation, while patients who are too thin are advised that the risks of surgery outweigh the benefits in their case.
While a few centers in the United States are performing weight loss surgeries on patients under the age of 18, most surgeons prefer to wait until the patient is older and better equipped to make a life-altering decision.
General Guidelines for Weight Loss Surgery Candidates:
- BMI of 40 or greater
- Comorbidity: You have a life-shortening disease process, heart disease, diabetes or obstructive sleep apnea, that can be improved by losing weight.
- For at least two years, you have attempted to lose weight.
- You have been obese for an extended period of time, at least three to five years.
- You are able to effectively care for yourself and follow a physician’s instructions.
- You are motivated to lose weight and maintain a healthful lifestyle.
- You do not abuse drugs or alcohol.
- You are a nonsmoker or have quit smoking.
- You are an adult under the age of 65.
If you meet these guidelines, you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery. Your surgeon will be the one to make the final decision; however, this list should help you determine if you meet the criteria.
Sources Bariatric Surgery For Severe Obesity. Consumer Information Sheet. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. March 2008. http:// http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gastric.htm
Frequently Asked Questions About Obesity and Bariatrics. American Society of Bariatric Surgeons. 2008. http:// http://www.asbp.org/siterun_data/faq/news.php?q=5405d8a903c83e89cb649f1b518ef1be
Jones,Nicolas V. Christou, MD, PhD; Didier, Look, MD; and Lloyd D. MacLean, MD, PhD. " Weight Gain After Short- and Long-Limb Gastric Bypass in Patients Followed for Longer Than 10 Years." Annals of Surgery 2006 November; 244(5): 734–740.
