BMI greater than or equal to 32.5 kg/m2 with one or more significant obesity-related conditions including:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
- High cholesterol
- Family history of early coronary heart disease
BMI greater than or equal to 35:
- Obesity-induced physical problems interfering with lifestyle.
- Body size problem precluding or severely interfering with social life, employment, family function, and ambulation).
- Age between 16 -65 years (with some exceptions).
- Have failed multiple attempts with supervised dietary, behavioural and medical therapy.
- Understand and accept the operative risks.
- Have realistic expectations and are motivated.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Drug and/or alcohol addiction.
- Generally, age under 16 years or over 65 years (however age is not a strict criteria)
- History of serious heart disease or severe lung problems. These can put one at increased risk during anaesthesia.
- Chronic pancreatitis (or have a history of this).
- Certain types of cirrhosis of the liver.
- Autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Blood disorder which increases risk of heavy bleeding.
- History of severe psychiatric illness.
- Receiving cancer treatment (e.g. chemotherapy).
- Suffer from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel diseases)
- Pregnancy.
