Eligibility criteria for weight loss surgeries is based on your BMI, whether you have a serious health condition that could be improved if you lost weight and if you’ve tried all the appropriate non-surgical methods,such as diet and exercise, but failed to achieve or maintain a beneficial level of weight loss.You'll need to be fit and healthy enough to withstand anaesthesia and the weight loss surgery.Also you’ll need to agree to commit to long term follow up treatment after surgery and to a new healthy diet and lifestyle.
How to calculate BMI
The formula to calculate BMI is: BMI = Weight (kg)/Height (m)².For simplicity you can use our BMI calculator to find out your BMI.NICE eligibility criteria for weight loss surgeriesThere are eligibility guidelines for weight loss surgery produced by NICE. In summary NICE advises that a person should be considered for bariatric surgery if:a) they have a BMI of over 40 and have tried to lose weight by attending a weight management programme and have also tried, where appropriate, the available prescription anti-obesity drugs and been monitored by their family doctor.b) they have a BMI of over 50. In this case weight loss surgery can be considered without the patient having necessarily tried different approaches to lose their excess weight.c) if the person has a BMI of 35 to 40 but has one of the serious co-morbidities: type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea, and otherweight loss options have failed.
Weight loss surgery candidacy
For all weight loss treatments you’ll need to be 18 years of age or older, not pregnant and committed to eating less, making healthy food choices and making appropriate lifestyle changes.
Gastric balloon candidacy
Appropriate candidates for gastric balloon typically include those who:•Are overweight with a BMI of 27 to 35 but who do not qualify for other weight loss surgeries.
Gastric band candidacy
Appropriate candidates for a gastric band typically include those who:·Have a BMI of 35 or more and suffer from one or more serious obesity-related co-morbid health concerns such as type 2 diabetes,sleep apnoea, high blood pressure and heart disease.·Have a BMI of at least 40 plus and are morbidly obese and have seriously attempted to lose weight through diet and exercise,but have been unsuccessful or have had only short-term weight loss success.·Do not wish to commit to a permanent invasive surgery.·Do not have any other disease or health problem that may be causing excess weight gain.
Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass candidacy
Appropriate candidates for a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass typically include those who:·Have a BMI of 35 or more and suffer from one or more serious obesity-related co-morbid health concerns such as type 2 diabetes,sleep apnoea, high blood pressure and heart disease.·Have a BMI of at least 40 plus and are morbidly obese and have seriously attempted to lose weight through diet and exercise,but have been unsuccessful or have had only short-term weight loss success.·Are classified as morbidly obese with a BMI of 45 to 50, super obese with a BMI of 50 to 60 or super-super obese with a BMI of 60 plus.·Do not have any other disease or health problem that may be causing excess weight gain.For further information visit our weight loss surgery pages, where you will find out more about the surgeries as well as price information.
About Ramsay Health Care
Ramsay Health Care is a leading provider of weight loss surgery in the UK. Ramsay offers weight loss procedures performed by experienced bariatric surgeons who are highly qualified and have undergone intensive specialist training.At Ramsay Health Care your weight loss surgeon will work in a multidisciplinary team who liaise with each other to provide the best plan of action for you. They include a dietitian who will meet with you and produce a bespoke eating plan, and specialist trained nurses who will be by your side during your journey to offer support and guidance to ensure that you achieve your goals.Contact us for more details.