Indications for Surgery :: Am I a Candidate :: BMI Calculator

Not everyone who has a weight problem should consider surgery. It depends on whether or not you are overweight, obese or morbidly obese. One way to tell is by your Body Mass Index (BMI). Your BMI depends on both your weight and your height. An ideal BMI is between 19 and 25. If your BMI is between 26 and 29 you are thought to be overweight. If it is higher than 30 you are obese. That means you are at risk for health problems. If your BMI is 40 or more, you are said to have severe or "morbid" obesity and you might be a candidate for surgery. For some people with a BMI between 35 and 40, surgery might also be a choice if you have other medical conditions.

Besides a BMI of more than 40 or more than 35 with other medical problems, a Gastric Band may be right for you if:

1. You are between 18 and 60 years of age. (If you are between the ages of 14 and 17 and are interested in finding out if you are a candidate for our adolescent program call Hamilton Medical Center at 706.272.6668).
2. You weigh twice your ideal weight or you weigh at least 45 kilos (100 lbs.) more than your ideal weight.
3. You have been overweight for more than 5 years.
4. Your serious attempts to lose weight have had only short-term success.
5. You are not suffering from any other disease which could have caused you to be overweight.
6. You are prepared to make substantial changes in your eating habits and lifestyle, and to continue being monitored by the specialist treating you.
7. You do not drink alcohol in excess.

A Gastric Band is not right for you if:

1. You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, esophagitis, or Crohn's disease.
2. You have severe heart or lung disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery.
3. You have some other disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery.
4. You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the esophagus or stomach. That might include esophageal or gastric varices (a dilated vein). It might also be something such as congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia (dilation of a small blood vessel).
5. Your esophagus, stomach, or intestine is not normal. For instance you might have a narrowed opening.
6. You are pregnant. (If you become pregnant after the gastric band has been placed, the band may need to be deflated or removed. The same is true if you need more nutrition for any other reason, such as becoming seriously ill.)
7. You are addicted to alcohol or drugs.
8. You have an infection that could contaminate the surgical area. The same is true if you need a procedure that could do the same thing.
9. You use aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs often.
10. You cannot or do not want to follow the dietary rules that come with this procedure.
11. You are not emotionally stable.

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