Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You?

Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, is a valuable tool that can be life-changing for many people. It requires a serious commitment to change how and what you eat.

Because the surgery permanently changes how your body processes food, it’s important for you to be fully informed about the responsibilities it requires and the risks of having the surgery.

Am I a Candidate?

One of the first steps in your decision-making process is to determine if you meet the guidelines for weight loss surgery. Our surgeons use guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) when considering treatment options for patients.

ASMBS Guidelines for Recommending Bariatric Surgery

Candidates for weight loss surgery should have either:

• Body Mass Index (BMI)of 35 or greater
• BMI of 30 or greater with one or more related (co-morbid) conditions. Co-morbid conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), urinary incontinence, degenerative joint disease, sleep apnea and other associated conditions.

Several insurance plans still follow previous Bariatric Surgery guidelines that indicated BMI of 40 or greater or BMI of 35 or greater with one or more related (co-morbid) conditions. Please call our office at (937) 208-5300 to find out if this applies to your insurance plan.

We also consider whether you meet these important criteria:

• You are motivated and committed to making lifelong changes in food choices, eating habits, physical activity, and lifestyle to ensure successful weight loss after surgery
• You have been unsuccessful in documented attempts to lose weight through diet and exercise
• You are free from tobacco, drug, or alcohol addiction

Meeting these criteria is a strong predictor for weight loss success. Each person’s candidacy is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. So, depending on your physical health and other factors, you may qualify for surgery even if all of these factors don’t apply to you.

First Steps 

Learning more about bariatric surgery is a good place to start:

Attend a free information session to learn more about weight loss surgery. Sign up online or call (937) 208-8000(937) 208-8000 for registration or more information.

Attend a support group meeting to hear from other people about their experiences at various stages of their weight loss journeys. A staff member will facilitate and talk about a weight-loss-related topic.

Contact Us

To get started on your weight loss journey, sign up for a free weight loss surgery information session.