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About the Northwestern Medicine Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Health Program

If you're ready to lose weight, the Northwestern Medicine Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Health Program offers a full range of surgical weight loss options with step-by-step education, guidance and support.

Please take these steps to be considered for weight loss surgery:

  • Check your Body Mass Index (BMI): You must have a body mass index of 40 or higher to be eligible for surgery. If you have a body mass index between 35 and 39 and you have at least one medical problem that is made worse by obesity, then you may be eligible.
  • Contact your Insurance Company:
    • Verify that weight loss surgery is a "covered benefit" by your policy
    • Verify that the Northwestern Medicine hospital where you wish to have surgery is a part of your coverage (please note: if your insurance does not cover surgery, a self-pay option may be available)
  • Attend a weight loss seminar