Bariatric surgery usually is recommended only for people who have a BMI of 35 or higher and who have tried losing weight using medication or diet and exercise changes without success.
This surgery typically is recommended for those with a BMI of 40 or higher even if they have no obesity-related medical conditions.
For those with a BMI of 35 to 39.9, bariatric surgery generally is recommended when the person also has one or more obesity-related conditions (or co-morbidity), including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), sleep apnea and other respiratory disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, lipid abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders or heart disease.
There are four conditions to be met to qualify for bariatric surgery:
- If you have a known endocrine (glandular) or metabolic cause for obesity, such as low thyroid levels, the issue needs to be addressed with medication before surgery.
- You must have attempted medical weight loss treatments (weight management guided by a medical expert) without success.
- You must understand the risks of the operation and be able to give consent.
- You must be prepared and willing to commit to lifestyle changes prescribed for you, including regular follow-up appointments that are necessary for you to be successful after surgery. These lifestyle changes vary for each person, and your weight-management team will be able to prepare you for what to expect at your first appointments. If you are a smoker, you will need to have been smoke-free for at least 90 days before surgery can be considered.
- Anyone with a known endocrine (glandular) or metabolic problem that’s left untreated
- Anyone with an untreated or unresolved eating disorder, major psychiatric problem or substance abuse history
- Anyone who is too ill or high-risk for surgery
- Anyone who may want to become pregnant less than a year after surgery (bariatric surgery can temporarily deplete vitamins that would help with fetal development)