Am I a Candidate for Bariatric Surgery

Weight Loss Surgery Requirements

Bariatric surgery can help you overcome old habits so you can lose extra pounds and become a healthier you. However, this treatment isn’t right for everyone. At Baptist Health, we use a personalized approach to determine whether bariatric surgery is the answer to your weight loss needs.

How to Get Weight Loss Surgery Approved

Our primary focus is on your long-term well-being. We will only recommend weight loss surgery if it is a medically safe option for you. We also base our recommendations on your willingness to commit to permanent lifestyle changes. Our comprehensive approach gives you all the support you need to be successful. If surgery is not the answer, we can still help you lose weight with our medical weight loss program.

Do I Qualify for Weight Loss (Bariatric) Surgery?

It takes a lot of courage to pursue weight loss surgery. We will make every effort to make sure it is the best option for you. There are a number of criteria for weight loss surgery we consider in order to ensure a safe and medically appropriate procedure. Some of these bariatric surgery requirements include information about your overall health as well as your insurance coverage and mindset.

Qualifications for Weight Loss Surgery

Overall Health and Lifestyle Qualifications for Weight Loss Surgery

• You are more than 100 pounds overweight or have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more. Your weight tells us about your current risk for other health conditions, such as high blood pressure. We also consider your weight-to-height ratio (BMI) to determine which treatments would be most effective for you. The typical BMI for weight loss surgery is 35 or higher, though the requirement varies depending on additional criteria. Learn more about the treatments we offer.
• Your health history includes obesity-associated conditions. Certain conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, are often more difficult to fight when you are carrying a lot of extra weight. If you have one or more health conditions in addition to being overweight, you may qualify for weight loss surgery. Learn more about the obesity-associated conditions we treat.
• You are between the age of 18 and 65 years old. Bariatric surgery is generally considered safe for adults ages 18 to 65. If you are younger than 18 or older than 65, there is a higher risk of surgical complications.
• You live a healthy lifestyle or are willing to adjust your lifestyle. We consider lifestyle factors, such as whether you use tobacco. You must be willing to stop using tobacco (smoking cessation) to safely recover from surgery. Refraining from tobacco is also part of living a healthy lifestyle.
  

Other Requirements & Prerequisites for Bariatric Surgery

• Does your insurance cover include weight loss surgery? Some insurance plans cover weight loss surgery while others do not. If you do have coverage, you may be limited to certain procedures. You may also need to meet several requirements, such as undergoing a psychological screening, before your surgery is approved. Learn more about the costs of obesity and bariatric surgery.
• Have you previously attempted to lose weight without bariatric surgery? If you have not been able to lose weight on your own, your insurance may require you to try one more time with a physician’s help. Our medical weight loss program includes personalized nutrition and exercise plans along with the support and encouragement you need to meet this requirement. Read more about medical weight loss.    
• How committed are you to adopting a healthier lifestyle? To qualify for weight loss surgery, you must demonstrate a commitment toward a healthy lifestyle. This commitment includes working to change your eating and exercise habits. We help you set realistic goals. Making steady progress toward these goals can help you qualify for surgery. Find out more about our nutrition and exercise programs.

How to Get Weight Loss Surgery Approved

Our team of bariatric surgery and weight loss experts can help you achieve your weight loss goals with or without surgery. The first steps include learning about your potential options and providing us with some information about yourself.   Find out more about our program and if you qualify for weight loss surgery by:

1. Attending an information seminar in person. Some locations also offer information seminars online.
2. Filling out a new patient packet: