Am I A Candidate

Please read this page to determine if you’re a suitable candidate for bariatric surgery.

Eligibility Requirements for Gastric Bypass Surgery

Bariatric surgery is not for the person who merely wants to trim down their belly fat to look good on the beach. This surgery is for the individual who desperately needs to lose weight or risk losing their life. The following three requirements are what most medical doctors use to determine eligibility for most weight loss surgeries:

  1. BMI of 40 Kg/M2, or higher
  2. Over 100 pounds’ overweight
  3. BMI of 35 Kg/M2 or higher with at least one or more obesity related medical problem such as:
    • High Blood Pressure
    • Hypertension
    • Acid Reflux Disease
    • Type II Diabetes
    • Low Back
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Joint Pain
    • Severe Bouts of Arthritis

Tests Required Prior to Surgery

Any reputable bariatric surgeon will advise you to get these tests and visits done prior to getting bariatric surgery:

  • Complete physical checkup
  • Blood tests
  • Doctor visit to ensure any chronic conditions you have (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) are under control
  • Take pre-surgery classes
  • Consider visiting a psychiatrist to ensure you’re emotionally ready to get this procedure
  • If you smoke, stop smoking several weeks prior to surgery and avoid smoking after surgery. Smoking slows recovery time post-surgery.

Recovery Period After Surgery

Whether getting open or laparoscopic, people typically remain in the hospital between 1 to 4 days and resume normal activities in approximately 3 to 5 weeks.

Possible Side Effects & Risks After Surgery

The risks involved when getting this weight loss surgery are:

  • Stomach getting bigger overtime, stretching back to normal size
  • Staples breaking down or falling apart
  • Nutrient deficiencies due to the body absorbing less nutrients
  • Dumbing syndrome, where food moves too quickly from the stomach to small intestine (Feeling nauseated or weakness occurs after eating)
  • Extra skin