Bariatric Surgery Patient Selection Process

The purpose of the selection process is to facilitate the optimum outcome for each candidate going through the Bariatric Surgery Program. All individuals seeking assistance in bariatric procedures for weight loss are potential candidates for surgery and will be carefully evaluated in order to assess their opportunity for successful completion of the program.

Each potential patient will work with a Multidisciplinary Care Team to coordinate an individualized treatment plan for all candidates including those who present with advanced disease (obesity) and/or with multiple co-existing conditions (co-morbidities).
The Team will:

• Assess and discuss the individual’s operative risks.
• Make special recommendations that will help a candidate achieve improved surgical outcomes (i.e. further medical management of co-morbidities, weight loss, and pre-conditioning, change in behavior).
• Outline a customized plan for the individual’s unique needs while in the hospital and after discharge (i.e., ICU stay if necessary, special equipment, transportation, or support).

Prior to performing any procedure, the surgeon will discuss the Multidisciplinary Care Team’s recommendations with the candidate and will then make the final determination of acceptance for surgery. Although the Multidisciplinary Care Team will participate in formulating an individualized treatment plan, in every case, the surgeon will obtain the patient’s informed consent for surgery.