Obesity Surgery

Are You A Candidate?

Selection Criteria

There are a number of widely accepted criteria which make a patient suitable for Bariatric or weight loss surgery:

• Weight greater than 45kg above the ideal body weight for sex, and height.
• BMI > 40 by itself or >35 if there is an associated obesity illness , such as diabetes or sleep apnoea
• Reasonable attempts at other weight loss techniques
• Age 18-65
• Obesity related health problems
• No psychiatric or drug dependency problems
• A capacity to understand the risks and commitment associated with the surgery.
• Pregnancy not anticipated in the first two years following surgery

There is considerable flexibility in these guidelines. Patients as young as 12 have been offered surgery. Sometimes a lower BMI between 30-35 is accepted if comorbidities exist.