Surgical Associates -- Bariatric Surgery

Patients seeking bariatric surgery vary greatly by age, gender, and other health and socioeconomic factors. However, to be considered a candidate for bariatric surgery, the National Institutes of Health have set criteria that patients must meet. These guidelines are considered the standard of care in the United States:

Surgery should be considered only for well-informed and motivated patients
The disease of Morbid Obesity should severely impair the quality of life
The patient should be able to participate in treatment and commit to long-term follow-up
Patients must clearly and realistically understand surgical risks and benefits and how their lives may change after surgery
100 pounds over Ideal Calculated Weight (IDC) or have a BMI of 40 or above
BMI of 35 to 40 with associated, severe co-morbidities
Have failed at non-surgical measures within the last year or more as shown by detailed weight-loss history in established weight control programs
Have no absolute contraindication including not being prepared to make lifestyle and behavioral changes, active alcoholism, active drug abuse, hepatic cirrohosis with impaired liver function tests, and serious psychiatric disability. Careful consideration will be given to patients under 17 or over 70; patients with previous pulmonary emboli or deep vein thrombosis; and patients with peptic ulcers.

Patients who fall within the accepted guidelines may be selected as surgical candidates after careful evaluation by a multidisciplinary team with access to medical, surgical, psychiatric, and nutritional expertise.

Evaluations by the Surgical Associates team will endeavor to ensure patients are prepared to cope with the surgery and will be able and ready to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments after surgery with appropriate focus on the importance of utilizing the surgical tool in the first six months to one year following surgery. Our surgeons rely on the evaluation process in making the final decision whether or not the patient will have surgery through Surgical Associates.