Eligibility Criteria

Health Resources:

- Obesity Treatment Overview - Obesity Video - Six Facts on Obesity

Adult BMI Calculator Rather than relying on the bathroom scale to tell you if you're overweight, BMI takes into account your weight and height to indicate body fat. The goal for most people: a BMI that's over 18 and under 25.

Obesity Basics: What Is It? How Is It Treated?

Surgical weight loss patients must meet the criteria based on guidelines established by the National Institute of Health:

• A Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 40 or a BMI of 35 when accompanied by other issues related to health (co-morbidities).
• Documented failure of at least one medically supervised weight reduction program within the last two years.
• Be between the ages of 18 and 65.
• No documented history of bi-polar disease, schizophrenia, multiple personalitydisorder or other psychoses which will interfere with the informed consent process or the patient's ability to follow directions.
• Be physically active.

Which surgery is right for you?

The type of surgery you choose is not only a very personal decision that should be discussed between you and your family, but also one that requires the professional expertise and knowledge of your surgeon. Surgery to promote weight loss is a serious undertaking, and patients who have had surgery require close monitoring as well as life-long use of special foods and medications.

Weight loss surgery has shown to be an effective tool in weight loss, but it's only a tool. No method, including surgery, guarantees to produce and maintain weigh loss. Success is possible only with your fullest cooperation and commitment to behavioral change and medical follow-up.