Are You a Candidate For
Weight Loss Surgery?


In order to be eligible for weight-loss surgery at the Martha Jefferson Bariatric Care Center, whether it be gastric bypass or gastric banding, a person must have:

  • A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or over, OR
  • A BMI of 35 or over WITH at least one serious obesity-related medical condition, such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, or high cholesterol.

In addition, a person must have previously attempted to lose weight using non-surgical methods such as diet and exercise, medication, etc., and the person must now be willing and able to permanently adopt a healthier lifestyle, which includes specific dietary changes and increased physical activity.

Weight-loss surgery is not a cure for obesity—rather it is a tool that can be used to assist someone in losing a significant amount of weight, thereby becoming healthier and more active. The more commitment and support a person has, the more successful that person will be in their efforts to become healthier through weight-loss surgery.

(Please note that each insurance company also has its own eligibility criteria and pre-operative requirements for bariatric surgery.)