Surgery for obesity is not for everyone. To be considered a candidate for bariatric surgery at Des Peres Hospital, individuals must:

• Be between 18 and 65 years of age.
• Have a body mass index equal to or greater than 40, or equal to or greater than 35 with serious co-morbidities (conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease)and weigh up to 350 pounds.  Calculate your BMI here.
• Have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight through a structured, medical weight loss program.
• Have obesity-related physical problems that interfere with employment, walking or family function.
• Undergo a psychological evaluation and counseling to determine if they are emotionally healthy enough to understand the ramifications of their decision.
• Be willing and able to commit to long-term medical follow-up, as well as rigorous lifelong changes in eating, exercise and lifestyle habits.
  

Bariatric surgery is not a temporary solution or a guaranteed way to lose weight.  It is a lifelong commitment to behavioral change.  Success is only possible if you follow your doctor’s instructions and continue to follow-up for the rest of your life.  

Before deciding if bariatric surgery is right for you, make sure you understand the risks and benefits.  Most patients lose weight quickly after surgery and continue to lose for 18 to 24 months.  While most patients also regain five to 10 percent of the weight they lose, many maintain a long-term weight loss of about 100 pounds.  Bariatric surgery may also improve many obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.  

There are risks associated with any surgery.  Possible risks and complications with Laparoscopic Gastric Banding include nausea, post operative blood clots, port or band revisions and sigmoid eshophagus.  This procedure has a mortality rate of 0.05% (one in 2,000).