“For over 11 years, Synergy Bariatrics has been committed to patient-centered care, community education, and the pursuit of the causes of obesity.”
- Dr. Joseph Caruana
Criteria for Patient Selection
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 (BMI Calculator) with the presence of obesity associated illnesses or obesity-induced physical problems that interfere with daily living.
- ***Although not approved by NIH, the FDA has now approved use of the Lap-Band system on select patients with a BMI of 30 - 35 with at least one obesity related condition.
- 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.
