Follow these easy steps to find out if you are a candidate for Bariatric Surgery:
1. Calculate your BMI using the BMI calculator.
- BMI LESS THAN 30 Usually not a candidate for weight loss surgery. Exceptions can be made for compelling medical reasons.
- BMI 30 TO 35 Generally not covered by insurance plans. Patients with co-morbidities (see below) or a strong family history of diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, or osteoarthritis will benefit from weight loss surgery, but will most likely have to pay out of pocket. Financing is available.
- BMI 35 TO 40 Patients with co-morbidities (see below) are generally covered by most insurance plans. Patients without co-morbidities and/or those who have a strong family history of diabetes or hypertension will benefit from weight loss surgery, but will probably have to pay out of pocket. Financing is available.
- BMI MORE THAN 40 Covered by most insurance plans with or without co-morbidities.
2. Do you have any co-morbidities?
A co-morbidity is a disease or condition that is related to or caused by excess body mass. These include:
· Diabetes Adult onset
· Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
· High Cholesterol
· Obstructive Sleep Apnea
· Acid reflux or Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GERD)
· Heart Disease
· Osteoarthritis or Joint Pain
· Depression
· Stress Urinary Incontinence
3. Do any of the following apply to you?
- Do you SMOKE? We will not perform surgery on any patients who currently smoke, as it greatly prolongs healing time and increases the serious risks of surgery. See your primary care doctor for some help with smoking cessation programs.
- Do you DRINK ALCOHOL MORE THAN OCCASIONALLY? You will need to commit to no alcohol for a period of several years after surgery, and will never be encouraged to drink more than occasionally.
- Do you WEIGH MORE THAN 425 POUNDS? You will have to lose weight prior to undergoing surgery, but dont give up! We have been successful in helping patients get down to 425 lbs prior to surgery.
- Is your BMI MORE THAN 60?It is strongly encouraged to lose weight prior to surgery. We have operated on patients with higher BMI in the past, but the serious risks of surgery do increase with higher BMI.We have been successful in helping patients lose weight to a lower BMI prior to surgery.
- Are you OVER AGE 60? With life expectancy rising, our program will evaluate patients over 60 on a case by case basis. We have had great success with older patients.
- If FEMALE, are you CONSIDERING GETTING PREGNANT IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS?Please postpone surgery until a period in your life when you can commit to not getting pregnant for at least two years after surgery. You will need this period to adjust to your new diet and lifestyle. More importantly, pregnancy will potentially be dangerous both for you and for your baby.
- Do you have SEVERE CARDIAC OR PULMONARY DYSFUNCTION? Such patients are usually not considered candidates. Please contact the phone number below if you are uncertain.
4. Will your insurance cover your surgery?
Click here to view the insurances that we accept, tips on verifying if your insurance will cover your surgery, and self-pay options.
5. Are you committed and prepared to make life-long changes in your diet and exercise habits?
We will provide you with all the tools possible to succeed, including extensive dietary counseling; please be sure you are ready and able to commit to major lifestyle changes. The rewards are well worth it!
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO START THE PROCESS
Dr. Koura
