Surgery should be considered, if the individual meets the following criteria as outlined by the National Institutes of Health:
- BMI greater than 40
- BMI 35 kg/m or greater with significant co-morbidities
- Severe sleep apnea
- Severe diabetes mellitus
- Cardiopulmonary
- Disabling arthritis
- Well-informed and highly motivated to lose the weight
- Evidence/History of previous attempts or motivation to lose weight
- Understanding the risks and benefits
- Committed to lifelong lifestyle change and long-term follow-up care
- Documented non-surgical attempts at weight loss
- Absence of drug or alcohol problems
- Evaluation by a multidisciplinary team (medical, surgical, internist, psychiatric and dietitian)
Who is Not a Surgical Candidate?
- People who would not be considered or eligible for surgery are:
- Pregnant women
- Alcoholics and drug addicts
- People who have a life expectancy of only a few years (over 65 years of age)
- Extremely young children
- Unmotivated to commit to lifelong lifestyle change