What are the minimum requirements to qualify as a candidate for bariatric surgery?
The qualifications for bariatric surgery vary from one insurance provider to the next. In most cases, the minimum requirements for consideration as a candidate for bariatric surgery include the following: • A BMI (body mass index) of 40 or greater, usually met if you are 100 pounds over your ideal body weight. • A BMI of between 35 and 39 with one or more severe obesity-related medical problems such as diabetes, severe sleep apnea, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints or depression. • Documentation of previous unsuccessful weight-loss attempts such as diet, exercise, behavior modification, or other physician-supervised weight loss plans. • Consultation with a registered dietitian and participation in a medically supervised weight-loss program. • Psychological evaluation and clearance to determine the ability to comply with the behavioral and lifestyle changes required after bariatric surgery. • Documentation of bariatric support group attendance.
