Who is typically considered a candidate for weight-loss surgery?

According to the NIDDK, adults with a BMI of 35 or higher who have not been able to lose excess weight through diet, exercise, or medication are often considered. Some adults with a BMI of 30 to 35 who have hard-to-control type 2 diabetes may also qualify. Your surgeon reviews your full health history to decide.

What are the main types of weight-loss surgery?

In the United States, surgeons most often perform gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric band procedures. A fourth procedure, biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, is used less often. The right type for you depends on many factors, and your surgeon decides which fits your needs.

What risks should I ask my surgeon about?

Common risks include bleeding, infection, blood clots, anesthesia reactions, and leaking from staple lines in the stomach. Some people also develop nutritional deficiencies or gallbladder issues. Ask your surgeon for a full list of risks specific to the procedure being considered. If you have a serious symptom at home, call 911 immediately.

How do I check a surgeon's license in California?

You can verify a California surgeon's medical license at no cost through the Medical Board of California website at mbc.ca.gov. The license lookup tool shows whether the license is current and lists any disciplinary history. Always confirm this step before scheduling surgery.

What to Ask a Surgeon Before Weight-Loss Surgery in Los Angeles

2026-11-06 · By Surgical Weight Loss LA Editorial · General information, not medical advice

If you are exploring bariatric surgery in Los Angeles, knowing which questions to ask your surgeon can help you make a more informed decision.

Why Your Questions Matter

Choosing weight-loss surgery is a major decision. For many people in the Los Angeles area, the consultation visit is the best chance to get clear, honest answers from a surgeon. Coming prepared with specific questions can help you understand your options, the risks involved, and what recovery may look like for you.

This article is for general education only. It is not medical advice. Only a qualified surgeon who reviews your personal health history can tell you whether bariatric surgery in Los Angeles is right for you, and no outcome is promised for any procedure.

Questions About Your Eligibility

A good starting point is asking whether you meet common medical guidelines for weight-loss surgery. According to the NIDDK, adults with a BMI of 35 or higher who have not been able to lose excess weight through other methods are often considered candidates. For some people with a BMI of 30 to 35 who have hard-to-control type 2 diabetes, surgery may also be a treatment option your surgeon considers.

Based on my BMI and health history, do I appear to be a candidate for weight-loss surgery?
Do any of my current conditions, such as sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, or heart disease, affect which procedure might be appropriate?
What evaluations, lab tests, or specialist visits will I need to complete?
Are there lifestyle changes I should make ahead of my procedure?

Want more information? Read our plain-language procedure guides or send an information request. We do not give medical advice.

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Questions About the Type of Procedure

In the United States, surgeons most often perform three types of weight-loss operations: gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric band. A fourth option, biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, is used less often. Each procedure works differently, and your surgeon decides which one fits your health needs.

Gastric sleeve surgery removes a large portion of the stomach, leaving a smaller, banana-shaped section. This procedure cannot be reversed. Gastric bypass creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes part of the small intestine. Ask your surgeon:

Which procedure do you recommend for my situation, and why?
Is this procedure reversible?
Will the surgery be done laparoscopically or as open surgery?
How many of this type of procedure have you personally performed?
At which facility would this surgery take place?

Questions About Risks and Complications

All surgery carries risk, and bariatric surgery is no exception. Possible risks include bleeding, infection, blood clots, anesthesia reactions, and leaking from staple lines in the stomach. Some people also develop nutritional deficiencies or gallbladder problems afterward. Understanding these risks honestly is part of giving informed consent.

What are the most common complications for the procedure you are recommending?
What warning signs should I watch for at home after surgery?
When should I call 911 versus calling your office?

Important: If you have severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, heavy bleeding, or other urgent symptoms at any time, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Do not wait for an office visit.

Questions About Long-Term Support

Weight-loss surgery often requires lasting lifestyle changes. Many people need nutritional supplements, regular check-ins with their care team, and long-term follow-up visits. Ask:

What dietary changes will I need to make, and for how long?
Will I need vitamin or mineral supplements permanently?
How often will I need follow-up appointments?
Is a dietitian or support program part of the care plan?
What options exist if a revision procedure is ever needed?

How to Verify a Surgeon's California License

California law requires surgeons to hold a valid state medical license. You can verify any surgeon's license for free on the Medical Board of California website at mbc.ca.gov. Type the surgeon's name into the license lookup tool to confirm the license is current and to check for any disciplinary history. This is an important step for anyone exploring bariatric surgery in Los Angeles or elsewhere in California.

Frequently asked questions

Who is typically considered a candidate for weight-loss surgery?: According to the NIDDK, adults with a BMI of 35 or higher who have not been able to lose excess weight through diet, exercise, or medication are often considered. Some adults with a BMI of 30 to 35 who have hard-to-control type 2 diabetes may also qualify. Your surgeon reviews your full health history to decide.
What are the main types of weight-loss surgery?: In the United States, surgeons most often perform gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric band procedures. A fourth procedure, biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, is used less often. The right type for you depends on many factors, and your surgeon decides which fits your needs.
What risks should I ask my surgeon about?: Common risks include bleeding, infection, blood clots, anesthesia reactions, and leaking from staple lines in the stomach. Some people also develop nutritional deficiencies or gallbladder issues. Ask your surgeon for a full list of risks specific to the procedure being considered. If you have a serious symptom at home, call 911 immediately.
How do I check a surgeon's license in California?: You can verify a California surgeon's medical license at no cost through the Medical Board of California website at mbc.ca.gov. The license lookup tool shows whether the license is current and lists any disciplinary history. Always confirm this step before scheduling surgery.

Sources

General information only. This article is not medical advice, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. This website is informational, is not a medical practice and names no doctor. Talk to a licensed physician about your own care. In an emergency call 911.