Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center

Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatrics)

Am I A Candidate For Weight Loss Surgery?

An estimated 97 million Americans are overweight or obese – one third of the population. Thirty percent of men between the ages of 40 and 49 suffer from obesity, as do 40 percent of women.

According to the National Institutes of Health, anyone weighing 20 percent or more than the ideal for his or her body is obese. At that point, the extra weight becomes a health risk, contributing to a number of conditions – many of them life-threatening.

One way to determine whether you are obese is by calculating Body Mass Index (BMI). An individual whose BMI is in the 25-29.9 range is considered overweight. A BMI of 30 or higher signals obesity.

If you are obese, gastric bypass surgery (bariatric surgery) may be an option to help you control your weight. To qualify, you should:

Have a Body Mass Index of 40; be at least 100 pounds overweight; or be more than twice your ideal weight, or
Have a BMI between 35 and 40 with at least two co-existing medical problems related to obesity
Be between the ages 15 and 60
Be able to show a serious past attempt to lose weight medically, through exercise, or through programs such as Weight Watchers
Have no significant problems – physical, medical, emotional or psychological – that would make surgery unnecessarily risky
Be able to participate in treatment and long-term follow-up

Our Online Patient Services Group, part of the comprehensive Bariatric Program (weight loss surgery) at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, offers information about weight loss, nutrition, vitamin supplementation and emotional support.

These protocols are those of our physicians and are what our patients follow. Our patients have exclusive access to the Online Patient Services Group.

For more information, call Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center at 713-704-4000 or contact the 713-222-CARE (2273) Call Center.