General Questions
Can weight-loss surgery help other physical conditions?
According to current research, in many morbidly obese patients, weight-loss surgery can improve or resolve associated health conditions.
What is the youngest age at which weight-loss surgery is recommended?
Generally-accepted guidelines from the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and the National Institutes of Health indicate surgery only for those 18 years of age and older. There is a real concern that young patients may not have reached full developmental or emotional maturity to make this type of decision. It is important that young weight-loss surgery patients have a full understanding of the lifelong commitment to the altered eating and lifestyle changes necessary for success.
Is there an age after which weigh-loss surgery is discouraged?
Bariatrics at Bailey Medical Center surgeons do not perform weight-loss surgery on anyone over the age of 64. Patients over 65 require very strong indications for surgery and must meet stringent Medicare criteria. This age group is subject to increased risks associated with surgery, and the benefits, in terms of reduced risk of mortality, are less.