Candidates for weight loss surgery

You’ll need to meet a few requirements to qualify for bariatric surgery. You must be severely obese as defined by the body mass index (BMI) scale, which means you have a:

• BMI of 35 or more with weight-related health conditions
• BMI of 40 or more with or without associated medical problems

You will need to have tried other ways to lose weight. Most insurance providers require that you work with a registered dietitian and/or your primary care doctor to undergo a weight-loss treatment plan.

You'll need to be ready and able to make a lifelong change. This means following our guidance to help with effective, sustainable and safe weight loss and maintenance. We'll help you change your diet, activity and behaviors.

How much weight you’ll lose depends on what kind of bariatric surgery you have, the new habits you establish and your starting weight. You’ll lose weight quickly after your surgery. Your doctor can help you estimate how much weight you can expect to lose. The lifestyle changes are a large part of how much weight you lose right after your surgery, but they’ll also help you keep the weight off in the long term. We’ll teach you the steps to sustainable weight loss.