Determining if you are eligible for bariatric surgery is sometimes difficult.  Review the list below and if you are unsure if you qualify or you have any other questions, contact us and we will be happy to help.

National Institutes of Health Criteria

The most commonly considered criteria are those defined by the National Institutes of Health.

One of the following weight and health conditions must exist:

• BMI of 40 or greater
• BMI of 35 or greater with at least one obesity-related health condition (co-morbidity)

You must be at least 18 years old

You must have tried and failed at other methods of weight loss

Other Considerations

Along with these three basic criteria, you must also consider your level of determination and the practicality of making some serious changes in the way you live your life, not just the way you eat.

Possible Exclusions

Finally, there are some medical conditions that may make weight loss surgery a poor choice for you. Examples of these conditions are:

• Inflammation of the digestive tract, including ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohn's Disease
• Severe heart or lung disease
• Upper digestive tract bleeding conditions due to enlarged or fragile veins
• Portal hypertension
• Abnormal digestive tract anatomy
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Infection of any type, anywhere in your body
• Known allergies to the implant materials
• Currently using steroids for more than 15 days
• Currently pregnant
• Younger than 18 years of age
• Unwilling to make significant changes in eating and behavior patterns