Who is Bariatric surgery for?

Bariatric surgery typically helps patients who are more than about 25 Kg above their ideal body weight for their height. Especially if they have other metabolic problems such as Diabetes, surgery will be very beneficial as surgery will help treat those also. There are certain guidelines for patients who are reasonable candidates to undergo this surgery. A ratio of weight for height is calculated called the Body Mass Index (BMI). For Asian patients, BMI more than 37.5 or 32.5 with weight associated medical problems is a guideline for surgery. Apart from weight, several health conditions such as High blood pressure, Diabetes, High cholesterol, Fatty Liver, Asthma, Sleep Apnea, Arthritis (joint pains), Infertility, PCOD, can be cured by Bariatric surgery so patients suffering from these should consider surgery.
Patients are also expected to have already tried losing weight by healthy diet and exercise. Patients who do well after surgery are those who understand the surgery and are ready to make life long changes incorporating healthy diet and lifestyle measures.