WHO QUALIFIES FOR SURGERY?

Individuals who are 100 pounds over their ideal weight with a BMI of 40 or greater may qualify. (You can check your BMI with our BMI calculator on the right hand side of this page) Individuals who are 75 or 80 pounds over their ideal weight with a BMI of 35 or greater may qualify if they experience obesity-related co-morbidities.

In addition to the required medical criteria an individual must be willing to participate in all areas of our comprehensive program. This can include but is not limited to attending a free informational seminar prior to your office visit, providing a complete and thorough history and physical form, having an office visit with one
of our surgeons, attending support group meetings and other medical evaluations that can include a sleep study, psychiatric evaluation and seeing an internal medicine physician.

The appropriate candidate for WLS understands that surgical treatment for morbid obesity is a tool and not a magic pill. They understand that it takes significant effort on their part and that dietary compliance is essential. We require that our candidates be well informed of the procedures available, the risks involved and the expected outcomes. WLS is not something to be entered into lightly after seeing a celebrity discussing it on television or hearing about it from a friend of a friend of a friend. It is a major, permanent lifestyle change. You have to want it for yourself and be willing to do whatever it takes to reclaim your health and well being.

It is not uncommon for the morbidly obese patient to have serious or chronic health problems. There are times when it is necessary to have a patient treated prior to surgery for conditions that could negatively affect them during the procedure itself or during recovery. It is also possible that some patients in the super obese category will need to actually lose weight prior to their surgery. This part of the process can be frustrating but it is all a part of the patient’s journey to wellness. Often we must remind ourselves that we did not become morbidly obese in just a few weeks and overcoming obesity takes time.