Am I a Candidate?

Bariatric surgery is the clinical term for several different weight loss surgeries. When you're considering bariatric surgery, the first step is to find out more about the benefits and risks of the procedures. Only you and your bariatric surgeon can decide which procedure is right for you.

• BMIs over 40 are eligible for surgery based on weight alone.
• A BMI of 35 is considered for surgery when it is accompanied by obesity-related illnesses like diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea.
• Patients should have already tried to lose weight by other methods. Surgery is not the first choice for weight management. When other methods are not successful and obesity is a threat to health, it is time to learn about surgical options.
• Motivation to change habits and a commitment to lifelong diet modifications and exercise are necessary when undergoing bariatric surgery. The surgery is only one tool. Success depends on following diet and exercise recommendations after surgery.
• Watch a video from The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery about how treating obesity through surgery can help reclaim your life.

Candidates for the weight loss balloon should:

• Have a BMI of 30 to 40
• Be willing to participate in a medically supervised program

• Women planning pregnancy in the near future should not undergo surgery.
• Patients with health conditions making them medically high risk should not undergo surgery.
• Anyone who cannot adhere to the necessary pre- and post-operative dietary changes should not have bariatric surgery.
• Anyone with a substance abuse problem will not be considered for this operation. If these conditions are resolved or well-controlled, surgery can be considered.
• Those with an eating or psychiatric disorder that is untreated or unresolved are not surgical candidates. If these conditions are resolved or well-controlled, and clearance is received from a psychologist, surgery can be considered.