Am I a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?

Weight loss surgery is indicated for people who have significant weight to lose, known as obesity. But it’s not just about weight – recently, bariatric surgery has been found to significantly improve quality of life through resolution or improvement of comorbidities related to excess weight.

Do you suffer from diabetes? Sleep apnea? Joint pain? Endocrine problems? Fatigue?

Often bariatric surgery can help improve your life, and these comorbidities can be indicative of the need for weight loss surgery.

The below guidelines provide general, “technical” qualifications used by insurance companies. Use the below indications to determine if you may be a good candidate for bariatric surgery.

  • BMI of 40 (approximately 80-100 lbs. over ideal body weight) or BMI of 35 and associated co-morbidities (medical problems associated with and/or caused by obesity).
  • Significant previous attempts at weight loss have been made, preferably in nutritionally safe, and medically or peer-supervised programs.
  • No uncorrected metabolic disease that may cause obesity.
  • No other serious medical condition(s) that would make surgery too hazardous.
  • No unstable or untreated psychological illnesses and/or unrealistic expectations of surgery and weight loss.
  • No abuse of addictive drugs or alcohol — preferably for at least 12 months.
  • Sufficient motivation to make the lifelong changes in eating habits and exercise required for post-bariatric surgery success.
  • Willingness to make a formal commitment to the weight loss goal and to the bariatric surgical procedure.

Find out what your BMI is with our BMI Calculator!

BMI Calculator

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

Height:

feet
inches

Weight:

pounds

Your BMI Score is:

scale

Your BMI indicates your weight is in the underweight range. By gaining a few pounds, you may lower your chances of health problems.

Congratulations! Your BMI indicates that your weight is in the healthy range.

Your BMI indicates your weight is in the overweight range. To lower your chances of health problems, you may consider losing some weight.

Your BMI indicates your weight is in the obese range, which can have a significant impact on your health.

Disclaimer:
All information provided by this website is intended to be general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for a visit with a health care professional. No information provided in this site may be considered medical advice. The information may not be relevant for your individual situation and may be misinterpreted. HCA assumes no responsibility for how you use information obtained from this site. Before making any decisions regarding your health care, ask your personal physician.