Am I a Candidate?

Weight-loss surgery can bring some amazing results, but it’s a major operation, and not for everyone.

In general, weight loss surgery is reserved for those with a body mass index (BMI) of 35-or-higher who are experiencing weight-related health problems.

Your BMI is the ratio of weight to height, and corresponds to risks calculations of obesity. BMI is not a perfect calculation; however, most insurance companies use it to help determine if they will approve patients for weight loss surgery.

Qualifying for insurance coverage varies by insurance company. You may need to start with a medically supervised weight loss plan if your insurance requires it. We can work together to determine your particular situation.

Once we start your program, you may need to make pre-operative changes to become a better candidate for surgery. For example, certain procedures will not be offered to smokers due to the vasoconstriction caused by nicotine. If you have a “firm” abdomen (e.g., you can thump it like a melon), then you may be need to lose some weight so that the laparoscopic tools will be effective during surgery.

Three Things You Can Do

• Learn as much as you can about bariatric surgery. The better you understand the risks, benefits, others’ experiences, and cost of surgery, the better you’ll be able to make the right choice.
• Research your payment options, including self-pay. Ask your insurance provider if bariatric surgery is covered. If so, to what capacity does it cover?
• Attend one of our free bariatric seminars (in-person or online) to learn more about our program.