Who's a
CANDIDATE?

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 apnea.
• 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.

Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, is a method of weight loss for the severely obese who are unable to lose weight by any other means. As people learn more about the many health risks of being obese, greater numbers seek what may seem like a drastic solution: surgery.

Bariatric surgery includes a spectrum of procedures from restrictive to malabsorptive and those combining the two. Restrictive procedures such as Adjustable Gastric Banding and Sleeve gastrectomy.      Malabsorptive and combined procedures such as Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RGB),Biliopancreatic Diversion, Fobi Pouch and Duodenal Switch (DS) reduce the body's ability to absorb calories and nutrients from food