In 1991, the National Institutes of Health established criteria for patients seeking weight loss surgery. These include:

• • BMI of at least 40 or a BMI greater than 35 with the presence of obesity associated illnesses
• • Ages 18 – 60 years old
• • History of repeated failures at medically supervised weight loss
• • Patient’s ability to demonstrate an understanding of the surgical procedure, its
  associated health risks, and the lifestyle changes that must accompany surgery
• • Potential benefits of surgery must outweigh surgical risks
• • Stable psychological condition (refer to pathway to surgery for more information)
• • Smoke-free or smoking cessation for a minimum duration before surgery

The American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) has more recently extended these criteria to patients with a BMI between 35 and 40 who have obesity-induced physical problems that interfere with their lives. (e.g. musculoskeletal or neurologic or body size problems precluding or severely interfering with employment, family function and ambulation)(1). Patients who believe they are candidates for surgery should discuss this option with their primary care physician.