Surgical treatment for obesity is considered a major surgery by medical professionals. Its growing use as a treatment option for morbid obesity is the result of three factors: 

• Our current knowledge of the significant health risks of morbid obesity
• The relatively low risk and complications with weight loss surgery procedures versus not having the procedures at all
• The ineffectiveness of current non-surgical approaches to produce sustained weight loss

Weight loss surgery should be viewed, first and foremost, as a method for alleviating a debilitating, chronic disease. In most cases, the minimum qualification for consideration as a candidate for surgical treatment for obesity is 100 lbs. above ideal body weight or those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater. Occasionally a weight loss surgery procedure will be considered for someone with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or higher if the patient's physician determines that obesity-related health conditions have resulted in a medical need for weight reduction and, in the doctor's opinion, surgical treatment for obesity appears to be the only way to accomplish the targeted weight loss. In many cases, patients are required to show proof that their attempts at dietary weight loss have been ineffective before surgery will be approved. More important, however, is the commitment on the part of the weight loss surgery patient to required, long-term follow-up care. Our bariatric surgeons require patients to demonstrate serious motivation and a clear understanding of the extensive dietary, exercise and medical guidelines that must be followed for the remainder of their lives after having weight loss surgery (see Life After Surgery).

Surgical treatment for obesity should not be considered until you and your weight loss surgery specialist have evaluated all other options. The proper approach to weight-loss surgery requires discussion and careful consideration of the following with your doctor:

1. Weight loss surgery procedures are in no way to be considered as cosmetic surgery.
2. Weight loss surgery procedures do not involve the removal of adipose tissue (fat) by suction or excision.
3. A decision to elect surgical treatment for obesity requires an assessment of the risk and benefit to the patient and the meticulous performance of the appropriate surgical weight loss procedure.
4. The laparoscopic weight loss surgical procedures performed at the Nevada Surgical Weight Loss Center (approved in the United States) are reversible.
5. The success of weight loss surgery procedures is dependent upon long-term lifestyle changes in diet and exercise.
6. Problems may arise after weight loss surgery that may require re-operations. Success of surgical treatment for obesity must begin with realistic goals and progress through the best possible use of well-designed and tested operations.