Eligibility is assessed against clinical criteria, but the assessment covers considerably more than a number.
The clinical criteria
Based principally on BMI, with lower thresholds applying where obesity-related conditions are present — type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, fatty liver disease, hypertension and others. Thresholds also differ for some ethnic groups, reflecting differences in metabolic risk at given BMI values.
Verify and insert: current Australian BMI thresholds, including comorbidity-adjusted and ethnicity-adjusted values.
What else is assessed
Previous attempts. Evidence of engagement with non-surgical approaches is generally expected.
Understanding and expectations. Whether you understand the permanence, the requirements afterwards, and what surgery will and won't do.
Capacity for follow-up. Lifelong supplementation and monitoring are required. This is assessed honestly and is a genuine factor.
Mental health and eating behaviour. Not to exclude people, but to identify what needs support first. Active eating disorders, untreated substance use or unstable mental illness usually need addressing before surgery rather than instead of it.
Surgical and anaesthetic risk. Other conditions, smoking status, and fitness for the procedure.
Age. Assessed individually rather than by fixed cut-off, with additional considerations at both ends of the range.
Being declined isn't necessarily final
Where a service declines or defers, it's frequently because something specific needs addressing — smoking cessation, mental health treatment, better diabetes control. These are usually modifiable. Ask specifically what would change the answer.
Related: Pathways overview · Procedures explained Next: Find a bariatric service →
Educational information only. Not a substitute for medical advice — speak to a qualified health practitioner about your circumstances.