What are the surgical options for obesity? Who is a candidate?
Surgery is an option for those who have a BMI over 40 kg/m2, or a BMI over 35 kg/m2 and serious comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea, and should be considered in patients who have not been able to achieve a healthy weight by non-surgical means. Current surgical options always involve a degree of gastric restriction to help reduce intake. Some options also involve varying degrees of malabsorption. While surgery is a powerful tool that can markedly increase a patient’s ability to achieve and maintain a healthier weight, it is important to recognize that efficacy also requires considerable patient effort and life-long vigilance to diet and exercise. Thus, only patients who are well motivated and understand the implications of the surgical procedure should be considered.
