Eligibility for Bariatric Surgery
At the Surgical Weight Loss Program for Teens, we believe that teens considering surgery should:
- Have been unsuccessful with organized weight loss attempts
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more with some obesity-related health problems
- Be capable of and willing to adhere to all nutritional guidelines postoperatively
- Be able to demonstrate that they know what surgery is about, including risks and benefits, and that they understand the lifelong commitment to care after the surgery
- Have a supportive family with realistic expectations about weight loss surgery
Who is Not a Good Candidate?
Teens are not good candidates for bariatric surgery if they:
- Have a medically correctable cause of obesity
- Have had a substance abuse problem within the preceding year
- Have a medical, psychiatric or cognitive condition that would significantly impair their ability to adhere to diet, exercise or medication regimens
- Are currently breast-feeding, pregnant or planning to become pregnant within two years
Calculate Your Body Mass Index
Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. Calculate your body mass index.
