The Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s (PAMF) Department of General Surgery offers weight loss surgery to eligible candidates. The new procedure, also known as bariatric surgery, is available to patients who are significantly overweight (more than 100 pounds) and have tried traditional weight reduction methods without success.

Patients are carefully screened to determine eligibility and must attend a behavior modification program prior to surgery. Candidates for obesity surgery must be at least 100 pounds over their ideal weight and have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40. Patients may also be eligible for surgery if their BMI is greater than 35 with two or more obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, depression and/or sleep apnea.

Last Reviewed: June 2006

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