Are You A Suitable Candidate For

Weight Loss Surgery?

For the most part weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery as it is also known, is a long term or permanent way to lose and maintain weight. As such it should never be entered into lightly. Surgeons have strict guidelines as to who is or isn't a suitable candidate for such surgery.

Your BMI (body weight index) should be above 40. If you have any medical conditions caused by your weight or are exacerbated by your weight then the BMI requirements drop to 35 to 39. Medical conditions known to be caused or exacerbated by obesity include high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnoea, and some forms of joint pain.

If you don't know what your body mass index is then here's a link to an online BMI calculator - link.

Your obesity should have existed for at least 5 years and you should have been trying to lose weight unsuccessfully for a year or more. The age range for surgery is 18 to 60, though some surgeons will operate on slightly older candidates if their general health is good.

You will also need to be assessed to ensure that you have the commitment to the long term follow ups that are a necessary part of the procedure, as well as a willingness to change your diet and lifestyle.

If you have heart, lung, kidney or liver problems or are on long term steroid treatment you may not be a suitable candidate.

However, if you are considering having an intragastric balloon fitted you will find that the criteria is lower as it is viewed as a short term weight loss solution.

For a balloon your BMI should be about 27 upwards (though different surgeons have different limits) and you should be at least 18 years old. You will be expected to have tried previously to lose weight and been unsuccessful. You will also need to show a willingness to follow a medically supervised diet.

Again chronic health conditions of the heart, lungs etc will probably preclude you from having a balloon fitted. Having previous weight loss surgery will also mean that having a balloon is unlikely.