AM I A CANDIDATE?

How Do I Know If I Qualify?

Typically, for a person to be a candidate for surgery, all of the following criteria must be met. More specific information is listed on our Referring Providers page.

You are a person with obesity

You have a BMI of 40 or more or you have a BMI of 35 to 39.9 with serious medical conditions such as high blood cholesterol and triglycerides, hypertension, sleep apnea, Type II diabetes and other serious cardiopulmonary disorders.

You have tried other weight loss methods

Such as changes in eating; behavior, exercise and/or drug therapy and you are still severely obese. Many insurers require you to have had 3 to 6 months of medically supervised weight loss.

Your activities are restricted

You are restricted from performing routine daily activities related to work and family and your quality of life is seriously impaired due to severe obesity.

You understand the procedure

You understand the surgery as well as the benefits and risks and effects after surgery.

You are motivated

You are motivated to make a lifelong behavioral commitment that includes well-balanced eating and physical activities necessary to achieve the best results.

 

AM I A CANDIDATE?

FAQs

CAN I AFFORD IT?

THE NEXT STEP

Body Mass Index

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is an approximate measure of body fat based on your height and weight. It is important to remember that as a person’s BMI goes higher, this also increases the risk for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and certain cancers.

However, it does not accurately measure body fat percentage. For example, athletes have a high muscle-fat ratio and may have a high BMI rating yet be in excellent health. Excess body fat is the main cause of weight-related diseases. Thus, it is important to talk to your doctor regarding your personal health condition.

 

BMI Classification Health Risk
Under 18.5 Underweight Minimal
18.5 – 24.9 Normal Weight Minimal
25 – 29.9 Overweight Increased
30 – 34.9 Obese High
35 – 39.9 Severely Obese Very High
40 and Over Morbidly Obese Extremely High

BMI CALCULATOR

To calculate your BMI, enter your height and weight and click on your gender. Then click the “Compute BMI” button to get your BMI.

CO-MORBID CONDITIONS

There are medical conditions that are related to, or made worse by obesity. These are called co-morbidities because they are largely caused by the obesity itself and are categorized as major or life-threatening problems, and minor or more common conditions that are not as life threatening.

Morbid obesity increases the risk for a shorter life expectancy especially for individuals whose body weight exceeds twice their ideal body weight. This brings with it an increased risk of diabetes or heart attack up to seven times greater than in non-obese persons. For these people, control of their obesity may be a matter of life or death.

Major Co-Morbidities:

  • Type II Diabetes
  • Hypertension
    (high blood pressure)
  • Hyperlipidemia
    (high cholesterol, etc.)
  • Heart Disease
  • Sleep Apnea Syndrome
  • Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
  • Asthma
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri
Minor Co-Morbidities:

  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
  • Degenerative Arthritis
  • Depression
  • Urinary Incontinence
  • Menstrual irregularity and infertility
Frank

I knew this was the right choice.

After attending a seminar and support meeting, I knew this was the right choice. I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and severe sleep apnea. I was drained and stopped doing the things I enjoyed most. I now have the energy to run up a flight of stairs, fish, hunt, golf, float the river, but most of all to enjoy my life and family.
Read Frank's Story