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.