If you have been struggling to lose weight, a surgical or non-surgical procedure may be a good choice for you. Studies show that very few people are able to lose weight and keep it off longterm. Bariatric surgery is the safest and most effective way to lose weight and improve health conditions associated with obesity. Recommendations for weight loss surgery use NIH guidelines published in the 1990s.
Weight Loss Surgery
Generally, bariatric surgeries like the Lap Band, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric bypass, are offered to patients who have a BMI over 40, with no related health conditions. Patients who have a BMI over 35 combined with at least one comorbidity (sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease), are also candidates for weight loss surgery.
If you have a BMI of 30 - 35 with at least one comorbidity related to obesity you may qualify for a Lap-Band.New York Bariatric Group treats adolescents who are obese too.
The criteria for bariatric surgery for adolescents is somewhat different than the criteria for adults, so each case must be evaluated on an individual basis by one of our surgeons.