Bariatric Surgery Eligibility at Alexian Brothers Advanced Weight Solutions
Bariatric Surgery Guidelines
Guidelines for bariatric surgery are determined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH uses the following criteria:
- 100 pounds or more above your ideal body weight or a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater
- BMI of 35 or greater with one or more weight management-related health condition
Additional qualifying factors that can be used for patient evaluation:
- History of documented dietary weight loss attempts
- Lifelong commitment to diet, exercise, medical guidelines and follow-up care
- Psychological evaluation reflecting your potential for change and lifelong adaptation to healthier living
What Is Your Body Mass Index (BMI)?
Body Mass Index is one of the best ways to measure the point at which extra pounds can become health risks. BMI takes into account an adult’s height and weight in order to gauge total body fat. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. The higher the BMI is, the greater the risk of developing additional health problems.
Illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure are all linked to being overweight. A BMI greater than 30 increases the risk of death from any cause, by as much as 50 to 150 percent. A BMI of 24 or less is considered in the normal range. Individuals who fall into the BMI range of 25 to 34.9, and who have a waist measurement of over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women, are considered to be at especially high risk for health problems. Find out what your BMI is by using our BMI calculator.
Together, you and the Kane Center surgical team can determine:
- If bariatric surgery is, indeed, the best treatment for you
- Exactly which procedure will suit your individual needs (such as gastric bypass, LapBand® and RealizeTM)
- If you are equipped, emotionally and mentally, to make the lifestyle changes required for optimal long-term results
- If you have the support system you need to succeed
