Criteria for Surgery

To be a candidate for bariatric surgery, patients should meet all of the criteria below, as established by the National Institutes of Health:

• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more (about 100 lbs or more over ideal body weight); or a BMI of 35 to 39.9 with serious medical conditions related to obesity that would improve with weight loss.

(Click here to find your BMI using our online calculator).

• Have attempted (and failed) previous weight loss efforts with diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, or medications.

• Must be intelligent enough to understand the possible risks, benefits, and side effects of the procedure.

• Must understand and be committed to the lifestyle changes necessary to succeed.

• Must be committed to lifestyle changes and long-term follow-up. We expect that patients follow up with us for at least 5 years.

• Must not have any medical, psychiatric, or emotional condition that would prohibit surgery.

• Must be motivated and have realistic expectations of the surgery. Surgery is a tool to help you lose weight.