Eligibility Requirements

Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?

Most weight loss programs are based on diet, exercise and behavior change. For the severely obese individual, these methods alone most often are not enough to cause substantial weight loss and health improvement, or to help maintain weight loss that does occur. New research shows that the body often resists weight loss efforts for underlying hormonal and metabolic reasons, with a “set point” that often keeps the individual at an overweight level despite efforts to lose weight.

Studies show that weight-loss surgery interrupts these metabolic patterns and result in reduced hunger, improved “satiety” or satisfaction with meals, and ultimately to reduce fat stores and weight. Other studies have found additional benefits for Type 2 diabetic patients, who may have reduced need for medication, and less complications from this debilitating disease. These results have caused the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, the International Diabetes Foundation, and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists to endorse weight-loss surgery as a treatment for Type 2 diabetics with severe obesity.

Severe obesity is a complex chronic disease. Weight-loss surgery should be viewed as a method for alleviating this debilitating disease. Having surgery is a serious decision. The information provided is intended to help you become more informed, and to learn how to the start the process.

Who is Eligible?

A ratio of weight to height called Body Mass Index (BMI) is generally used to classify the degree of overweight. An individual is considered to have severe obesity at a BMI of 40 or at 35 if health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or obstructive sleep apnea are also present. If your BMI is in this range, you may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery.

Body Mass Index Tools

• Adult BMI Calculator (National Institutes of Health)
• Body Mass Index Tables (National Institutes of Health)

Surgery is Just One Step

When compared to other therapies, weight-loss surgery has proven successful with many patients for whom other methods have failed. However, it is important to remember that weight-loss surgery is only the first step in a long-term commitment to maintaining health. Nutritional counseling and exercise play an equally important part of any comprehensive weight-loss strategy.

Yale New Haven Health offers a multidisciplinary program with coaching and support in nutrition, exercise and lifestyle change that is tailored to meet your individual needs.

Getting Started

Participating in one of our live webinars is your first step on your weight-loss journey. Led by board-certified bariatric surgeons, these free, informational webinars will cover all you need to know about how your health can improve through weight-loss surgery. We also offer a recorded version that you can watch at your leisure. Visit our webinar page for details.