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Candidates for weight loss surgery

Bariatric weight loss surgery can help meet your health goals. If you have been unable to lose weight through diet and exercise or you're experiencing weight-related health problems, we have programs that support your desire for a healthy lifestyle.

Weight loss surgery in Nashville, Tennessee

If diet and exercise are not enough to help you reach your weight loss goals, you may qualify for weight loss surgery.

At TriStar Health, we find the right weight management solution while helping you feel comfortable and confident. From bariatric surgery to weight loss management, we are here to help you every step of the way.

Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?

Understanding whether weight loss surgery is right for you is critical to your long-term wellness. As such, we offer this free risk assessment to help evaluate your unique situation.

Understanding whether weight loss surgery is right for you is critical to your long-term wellness. As such, we offer this free risk assessment to help evaluate your unique situation.

Related specialties

Candidates for weight loss surgery

Our bariatric surgeons will review your individual eligibility, as well as the pros and cons of each procedure. In general, to undergo weight loss surgery, patients must:

  • Be unable to achieve or maintain a healthy weight through nonsurgical means
  • Have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 with at least one of the following conditions:
  • Have a BMI greater than 40

Calculate your body mass index (BMI)

Body mass index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Find out your BMI so you can fully understand your potential options for weight loss management.

Bariatric surgery requirements

The bariatric surgeons at one of TriStar Health's hospitals in Middle Tennessee can help you determine if surgery is an option for you.

Eligibility for bariatric procedures

Depending on your personal health, among other qualifying factors, specific surgeries have other requirements you must meet. If you are concerned about payment, the bariatric surgery insurance approval process can be challenging, but we will work with you to navigate the process. If insurance will not cover bariatric surgery, or you want to bypass insurance requirements, there are options for self-pay.

Eligibility for sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and duodenal switch

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and duodenal switch can be a good options for patients who are either extremely overweight or have existing conditions that rule out other types of surgery, including joint replacement, hernia, spine and cardiovascular surgery.

For people who are extremely overweight, vertical sleeve gastrectomy is normally performed in two parts. The second surgery is only planned once the patient’s weight has decreased enough to lower their surgical risk.

Eligibility for gastric balloon

Gastric balloon may be a weight loss option for adults with a BMI between 30 and 40. Before moving forward with surgery, patients may be asked to complete supervised weight loss plans, including diet, exercise and behavior modification programs.

If these efforts do not achieve maintainable weight loss, patients will be further evaluated for surgery, including physical examinations and internal evaluations for factors that may interfere with surgery, including stomach irritation and ulcers.

Eligibility for revision surgery

Revision surgery may be needed for a number of reasons. These include a procedure not achieving the desired weight loss or bringing on adverse effects. However, eligibility for the procedure largely depends on your diet and lifestyle habits after surgery, in addition to insurance requirements.

Additionally, you may need gastric sleeve revision surgery if you are optimizing the usage of the sleeve as a tool but are experiencing weight gain or insufficient loss. Experiencing this because of factors such as swelling or the newness of the surgery (rather than reverting to poor eating habits) may make you eligible for revision surgery.

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Thrive Blog

Read our blogs to learn about preventive care and ways you can lead a healthier lifestyle.

What to know about weight loss surgery and other options 

March 04, 2024
Tayla Holman
If you've struggled to maintain a healthy weight, discover some of the benefits of weight loss surgery and whether this option might be right for you.

What to know about weight loss surgery and other options 

March 04, 2024
Tayla Holman
If you've struggled to maintain a healthy weight, discover some of the benefits of weight loss surgery and whether this option might be right for you.