Foothills Weight Loss Specialists of Knoxville have designed a simple self-assessment to address some of the criteria for surgical candidacy such as BMI, other health-related problems, and to help patients determine if they may be a good candidate for weight loss surgery.
Only patients considered morbidly obese or those who are obese with debilitating co-morbidities are candidates for bariatric surgery. There are several medically accepted criteria for defining morbid obesity.
You are likely morbidly obese if you:
- Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 35
- Are experiencing severe negative health effects related to obesity, such as high blood pressure or diabetes
- Cannot achieve a healthy body weight for a sustained period of time, even through medically supervised dieting
“Morbid obesity affects millions of Americans each year, posing significant harm to their health,” says Dr. Mark Colquitt of Foothills Weight Loss Specialists. “Obesity is considered morbid once it progresses to the point of increasing the risk of obesity-related conditions, diseases and even death.”
Weight loss surgery can help to greatly improve quality of life, but patients must be motivated to commit to a life-long adoption of healthier eating, exercise and recommended lifestyle changes. These all play a large role in long-term success with bariatric surgery.
Our Foothills Weight Loss Specialists staff and surgeons will evaluate your individual eligibility and discuss which treatment may work best for you. If you want to learn more about if you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery, we encourage you to attend a free informational seminar either online or in person. You can register for a seminar online, or call our office at 865-984-3413.