Bariatric surgery is the best tool that medicine has to offer individuals who are severely overweight, but it is not for everyone. There are several requirements one has to meet to be a candidate for surgery:
- BMI of 40 or higher – People with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher are candidates for weight loss surgery. The BMI is a calculated measurement based on an individual’s height and weight.
- BMI of 35 or higher with medical co-morbidities – Individuals who have medical conditions related to their obesity may qualify for surgery if their body mass index is only 35. Some of these medical conditions, called co-morbidities, include type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.
- Failed conservative weight loss attempts – Weight loss surgery is a big step, and it should be considered only after traditional methods of weight loss have been tried.