Frequently Asked Questions
What is obesity?
Obesity is a condition in which a person has an abnormally high and unhealthy proportion of body fat, which is categorized as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. Obesity is linked to more than 40 diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and stroke.
What is BMI?
BMI is a scale which stands for body mass index. It is used by medical professionals and researchers to measure obesity. BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight (in kilograms) by their height (in meters) squared.
BMI Chart
| BMI | Co-morbidities | Classification | Surgical Candidate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 – 29.9 | N/A | Overweight | No |
| 30 – 34.9 | N/A | Obese | No |
| 35 – 39.9 | No | Severely Obese | No |
| 35 – 39.9 | Yes | Severely Obese | Yes |
| 40 + | N/A | Morbidly Obese | Yes |
Are you a candidate for bariatric surgery?
To qualify for bariatric surgery an individual must:
- Have a BMI of 40 or greater.
- Have a BMI of 35-39, with significant obesity-related medical conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Cardiovascular disease
Why seek care with our program?
- Our surgeon is not only skilled and experienced in performing hundreds of bariatric surgeries; his compassionate and individualized care creates a unique and supportive environment for your weight loss journey.
- Physicians are accessible 24/7 by phone to communicate about any clinical concerns.
- All surgeries are performed at East Cooper Medical Center. The designated postoperative hospital unit specializes in the care of bariatric patients with experienced nurses and staff.
- Lifelong follow-up arrangements provided by our program enable patients to stay connected with us throughout their journey, such as monthly support group meetings for long-term success.