Who Is a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?
Pre-operative patient evaluation along with research-based criteria is used to select appropriate candidates for surgery. The National Institutes of Health guidelines and criteria established by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery protect patients and help select those patients most able to follow post-surgical obligations regarding diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes.
Primary Criteria
Potential candidates must have:
- A BMI > 40
- A BMI of 35 to 40 with co-morbid conditions (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc.)
- The willingness to have a psychological evaluation
- Proven that traditional, non-surgical weight loss methods have not worked.
While surgery is a viable, necessary option for many, those considering surgery must also realize that surgery is a tool, not a quick fix. For surgery to be successful long term, individuals must make a lifelong commitment to lifestyle changes.
Additional Criteria
Potential candidates must have:
- A clear understanding of the risks associated with the surgery
- A strong commitment to lifestyle changes regarding diet and exercise
- Determination to lose weight and improve health
- Awareness of the potential for serious complications, dietary restrictions, and occasional failures
- Commitment to lifelong medical follow-up
| Westmoreland | No Wait | |||
| Frick | No Wait | |||
| Latrobe | 1 hr 6 min |
Information updated hourly.
Patients are seen based on severity. Times cannot be guaranteed at your arrival.
