Weight Loss Surgery Candidacy

Nearly 30 percent of American adults over the age of 20 are overweight, making obesity a national health crisis in the United States. Sadly, there is no universal cure for obesity, and the weight loss method that works for one person may not necessarily work for another.

Several studies have shown that over 95 percent of overweight patients who attempt more conservative weight loss approaches like behavior modification, diets, drugs, and exercise regain any weight they may lose. The frustration of a failed diet can be devastating to a person's sense of self-worth. Many people who suffer from morbid obesity are now opting for weight loss surgery as a solution. Learn more about who is a candidate for weight loss surgery.

Qualifications for Weight Loss Surgery

While weight loss surgery can improve patients' overall health and extend their lifespan, bariatric surgeries are very serious procedures that should not be taken lightly. In order to be considered for weight loss surgery, certain conditions must be met. All of the following must apply to a patient before he or she is considered a potential candidate for weight loss surgery:

BMI of 40 or Higher

You must be considered morbidly obese, meaning that you have a BMI (body mass index) of 40 or higher. To be considered morbidly obese, men must be more than 100 pounds overweight, while morbidly obese women must be more than 80 pounds overweight. However, any patient who is more than 80 pounds overweight and has serious obesity-related health issues or life-threatening problems will be considered for weight loss surgery.

Obesity-Related Health Problems

Potential patients should have serious obesity-related health problems such as type 2 diabetes, or life-threatening problems like severe sleep apnea.

Other Weight Loss Options Have Been Exhausted

The weight loss surgery is a "last-ditch effort". In most cases, bariatric surgery will only be considered for those patients who have completely exhausted other weight loss options. For this reason, obese children and obese teens are rarely candidates for weight loss surgery.

Additional Considerations

Other important considerations for doctors choosing patients for weight loss surgery are the attitude and motivation of the patient, as well as the patient's age.

Age

In terms of age, some bariatric surgeons accept older patients in their 60s, and some even perform weight loss surgery on teenagers.

Attitude and Motivation

It is crucial that bariatric surgery candidates understand that the surgery is to be used as a weight loss tool, and they will need to adopt extreme lifestyle changes to be successful in their weight loss endeavors. A patient with a high degree of motivation to solve his or her weight issues will be much more likely to meet the challenges of postoperative dietary requirements and behavioral therapy.

Find a Weight Loss Surgeon in Your Area

Obesity is a life-threatening and socially debilitating condition that may be remedied with weight loss surgery. If you would like to explore the possibilities of how a bariatric procedure may change your life, use our directory to find a weight loss surgeon in your area.