Qualifications for Surgery

Criteria for weight loss surgery have been established by the National Institutes of Health:
• Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 or
• BMI greater than 35 with the presence of obesity associated illnesses or obesity-induced physical problems that interfere with daily living.
• Ages 18 – 60 years old (Synergy Bariatrics has performed surgery on select candidates older than 60 years)
• History of repeated failures at medically supervised weight loss
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the surgical procedure, its associated health risks, and the lifestyle changes that must accompany it for success
• Greater potential benefits of surgery than surgical risks
• Stable psychological condition
• Tobacco-free for at least 8 weeks prior to surgery
• At the discretion of the bariatric surgeon, other qualifications may apply.