CRITERIA FOR BARIATRIC PROCEDURES

(EUROPEAN GUIDELINES FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY)

THESE ARE THE GUIDELINES THAT ALL PATIENTS MUST MEET TO BE CONSIDERED FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY BY OUR SURGEONS

BMI 35 +

All patients with a BMI of 35 or above would be approved for surgery unless they have a contra-indication against bariatric surgery.

BMI 30 – 35

Patients with a BMI between 30 and 35 will need to have at least one comorbidity (see below) and will be assessed on an individual basis by our surgeon.

Set point BMI can be documented as current or former

Consideration will be given to clients who previously had a BMI of above 35 but who have lost weight, or those who cannot sustain a lower weight (proof from medical professional will be needed)

 

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Indications for bariatric surgery after 60 years of age should be considered individually. There is no upper age limit for surgery, but these patients must be accompanied by a favourable balance of risks and benefits. The aim of surgery in the older patient is to increase the quality of life.

Patients with a BMI of 60 or more must be considered on an individual basis

SPECIFIC CONTRAINDICATIONS TO BARIATRIC SURGERY

  • Under 18’s
  • Patients with Chron’s disease
  • Patients with a history of previous open stomach surgery ( Patients with a history of upper abdominal surgery should be individually discussed).
  • Uncompensated psychotic disorders, severe depression and personality disorders, or if the treatment is not recommended by a psychiatrist with experience in obesity.
  • Misuse of alcohol or drug addiction.
  • Diseases in the foreseeable future which are life-threatening.
  • Inability to self-care without long-term family or social support that would ensure care.
  • Gastric or duodenal ulcers
  • Unstable diabetes
  • Existing or pre-condition of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa without a referral from a psychologist.

COMORBIDITIES

Comorbidities are medical conditions that exist in addition to obesity and are often a result of being overweight. Comorbidities are a factor in determining a patients elegibility for bariatric surgery; Metabolic disorders (eg type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol/dyslipidemia, high blood pressure), obstructive sleep apnoea, cardio-respiratory disease, venous stasis disease, degenerative joint disease/osteo-arthritis, gall bladder disease, asthma, urinary stress incontinence, anaemia, severe psychological problems linked with obesity, reproductive/fertility problems, polycystic ovary syndrome/menstrual irregularity.

Comorbidities are medical conditions that exist in addition to obesity and are often a result of being overweight. They are a factor in determining a patients eligibility for bariatric surgery. If you have a BMI lower than 40 you may be considered for surgery if you have one or more of the following (and can get medical proof of the condition):-

  • Metabolic disorders (eg type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol/dyslipidemia, high blood pressure)
  • obstructive sleep apnoea
  • degenerative joint disease/osteo-arthritis
  • urinary stress incontinence
  • severe psychological problems linked with obesity (with report from psychologist or GP),
  • reproductive/fertility problems
  • polycystic ovary syndrome

If your weight has previously been higher this will also be taken into consideration when deciding your eligibility for weight loss surgery (we may need proof of this from your GP), so please inform us of this.

 

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