Who Qualifies for Weight Loss Surgery?

Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric or metabolic surgery, can be a life-changing treatment for individuals struggling with severe obesity. It’s not a quick fix — it requires a lifelong commitment to healthy eating, regular exercise, and ongoing medical follow-up. However, for those who meet the criteria, it can offer significant health benefits and sustainable weight loss when other methods have failed.

But who actually qualifies for weight loss surgery? Let’s explore the key eligibility requirements and how to know if this treatment is right for you.

Key Criteria for Weight Loss Surgery

1. Body Mass Index (BMI)

One of the primary factors used to determine eligibility is your BMI (Body Mass Index):

• BMI of 40 or more: You may qualify for surgery if your BMI classifies you as severely obese.

• BMI between 35 and 40: You may still be eligible if you have obesity-related health conditions, such as:

  • Type 2 diabetes

  • High blood pressure

  • Sleep apnoea

  • Joint or mobility issues

👉 Tip: Use a BMI Calculator to check if you're within a healthy weight range or fall into an at-risk category.

2. Previous Weight Loss Attempts

To qualify, you must have previously tried to lose weight through lifestyle interventions like:

• Dieting

• Exercise

• Medical weight management programmes

Surgery is typically only considered if these efforts have not resulted in sustained weight loss after at least 6 months of trying.

3. Physical Health & Surgical Fitness

Your overall health plays a big role in determining if surgery is safe and suitable. You’ll need to:

• Be well enough to undergo general anaesthesia

• Be free from uncontrolled medical conditions that may increase surgical risk

• Have the ability to recover well post-operatively

Your bariatric team will assess your cardiovascular health, breathing, and other key indicators before proceeding.

4. Understanding the Commitment

Weight loss surgery is not a standalone solution. You must demonstrate:

• A clear understanding of the surgical options available

• Willingness to attend regular follow-up appointments

• Commitment to making long-term lifestyle changes, including changes to diet and activity levels

Patients who are most successful with surgery are those who are informed, motivated, and supported.

5. Metabolic Syndrome

Patients with metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions including obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes—may also benefit from metabolic (or diabetes) surgery, even if their BMI is under 40.

Metabolic surgery can significantly improve or even reverse chronic conditions like diabetes, and it's sometimes recommended outside traditional obesity criteria if the risk-benefit profile supports it.

6. Mental Health Readiness

A psychological evaluation is part of the assessment process. Certain mental health conditions may delay or disqualify someone from surgery, such as:

• Untreated severe depression or anxiety

• Active substance misuse

• Uncontrolled eating disorders

• Schizophrenia or psychosis

However, patients with well-managed mental health conditions can still be candidates if they have strong support systems and are able to engage with long-term care.

Are You Ready for Weight Loss Surgery?

Meeting some or all of the criteria above doesn’t automatically mean you’re ready for surgery. Every patient goes through a thorough pre-surgery screening that includes:

• A full medical history review

• Lifestyle and dietary assessments

• Consultations with a multidisciplinary team

Our weight loss specialists are here to guide you through every step — from determining your eligibility to helping you prepare physically and emotionally for life after surgery.

Support Beyond Surgery: Long-Term Aftercare

Bariatric surgery is just the first step in your transformation. Long-term success depends on the right support. That’s why our comprehensive aftercare programme includes:

• Ongoing support from specialist dietitians

• Lifestyle coaching

• Psychological support

• Medical check-ups and nutritional monitoring

We’re committed to helping you achieve your goals — and maintain them.

Why Choose Ready Health Standish to support Weight Loss Surgery?

At Ready Health, we arrange to refer you to an expert-led, patient-centred bariatric care centre. The network includes some of the UK’s leading consultant bariatric surgeons, alongside specialist nurses, psychologists, and dietitians.

They offer a full range of surgical weight loss procedures, including:

• Gastric Banding

• Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy)

• Gastric Bypass

• Gastric Balloons

Every treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, with a strong focus on personalised care and safety.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're considering weight loss surgery and want to learn more about your options, qualifications, or next steps — we're here to help.