What is the BMI for bariatric surgery?

To be eligible for weight-loss surgery, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or have a BMI between 35 and 40 and an obesity-related condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea.
• Weigh less than 450 pounds, the maximum weight that hospital radiology equipment can accommodate. If you need to lose weight to meet this requirement, a nutritionist is available to help.

To make an appointment with the UCSF Bariatric Surgery Center, you must also:

• Have a referral from your primary care provider or specialist.
• Verify that your health insurance plan will cover bariatric surgery at UCSF once certain requirements are met. Please note that we only accept Medi-Cal patients who are San Francisco County residents.

Bariatric Surgery Evaluation Process

Before your first appointment with the UCSF Bariatric Surgery Center, please do the following:

• Ensure you're up to date with all your routine preventive health screenings. Your primary care provider can assist you with this.
• Submit your medical history questionnaire to the UCSF Bariatric Surgery Center.

New Patient Visit

During the new patient visit, your surgeon will give you a list of tests needed for your evaluation. This usually includes blood tests, medical imaging and, in some cases, minor procedures such as an upper endoscopy to confirm you're a good candidate for surgery. You can complete these tests at UCSF or with your local health care provider if you live outside the Bay Area.

We'll also review your insurance company's requirements for approving weight-loss surgery. Many insurance plans require three to six months of medically supervised weight-loss attempts before surgery. The UCSF Bariatric Surgery Center offers a Pathways to Weight Loss Clinic to help patients meet this requirement. If you live outside the Bay Area, you can complete these visits with your primary care provider.

Lastly, we will help you schedule presurgical appointments with our bariatric dietitian and psychiatrist.

Preoperative Visit

Once you've completed all necessary tests and met insurance requirements for surgery, you'll return to the Bariatric Surgery Center for your preoperative visit. During this appointment, your surgeon will discuss what to expect before, during and after surgery. We'll also set a date for your operation, which is usually four to six weeks after this visit.

Important Points to Know

• If you use tobacco, you must stop at least six weeks before surgery to decrease your risk of postoperative complications. We strongly recommend quitting permanently to help you meet your health goals.
• Please notify us of any change in your insurance coverage, as it could impact your approval for surgery. We will request verification of coverage for bariatric surgery from your insurance company about six weeks before the surgery.

UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.

Dietary Guidelines After Bariatric Surgery

It is very important to follow the recommended dietary guidelines after undergoing bariatric surgery. Find general guidelines for fluids, protein and more here.

Life After Bariatric Surgery

The UCSF Bariatric Surgery Center offers comprehensive follow-up care, including a support group, dietitian and education to help you achieve long-term success.

Recovering from Bariatric Surgery

Patients spend an average of two to five days in the hospital following bariatric surgery, or longer if complications develop. Learn more here.

Bariatric Surgery Center

400 Parnassus Ave., Second Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143

Weight Management Program

1701 Divisadero St., Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94143

• BMI of 35 and above, with or without associated obesity related illnesses such as back pain, diabetes, sleep apnoea, knee and joint problems, to name a few.
• Patients who have tried supervised dieting programs & dietary education without success.

However If your BMI is between 32-35, Dr Adib will carefully assess your medical history, age & your family history of obesity & associated serious illnesses.  He will then consider your particular case before making a decision about your eligibility for surgery.

You may be eligible for the Bypass if you identify with one of the following conditions: 

• BMI of 35 and above, with  associated obesity related illnesses such as chronic reflux and diabetes (type 1 and type 2).

You may be eligible for an Orbera Balloon if:

• BMI of 27 and above.
• Patients who have tried supervised dieting programs & dietary education without success.

I do not have private health insurance, can I still have a procedure?

Yes. Dr Adib performs uninsured weight loss procedures such as the Sleeve Gastrectomy, Roux-En-Y Bypass & Orbera Balloon. These procedures are performed at Private hospitals only. Dr Adib is a Brisbane based bariatric surgeon who accepts patients from all over Australia. Patients also have the option to access their super to fund the Sleeve Gastrectomy.

I do not have private health insurance, can I still undergo the Bypass?

Yes. Dr Adib perform the gastric bypass procedure on uninsured patients. For this type of procedure you will need to come in for an assessment with Dr Adib as this procedure is performed on a case to case basis.

What should I do now?

If you feel you are eligible or you would simply like to discuss this further, we encourage you to contact our team to make an appointment. Click here for more information.

Do I need a referral to see Dr Adib?

Yes you do require a referral to see any specialist. This can be obtained by your GP.

What happens after my appointment?

If you decide that you would like to go ahead with a procedure Dr Adib will book in a surgery date that suits you. After this consultation, our friendly staff will go through all the information regarding your procedure and any book necessary appointments. 

If you are wanting to access Early Release of Superannuation for the procedure, our staff at Brisbane Obesity Clinic will guide you through the whole process. Click here for more information.

Successful treatment for obesity involves continued treatment, guidance & support.  We will continue to work closely with you to firstly find the best regimen for you, to provide a supportive environment for you to continue to lose weight & establish new ways of living & to ultimately help you to achieve your weight loss goals.