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Am I A Candidate?

The bariatric surgery team at Alabama Surgical Associates in Huntsville is committed to helping patients maintain long term weight loss and improve their lives.

Dr. Darrell Doucette and our team believe weight loss surgery is one part of a comprehensive and lifelong journey to better health, rather than a “quick fix.” It is important to understand the qualifications necessary to have bariatric surgery as well as the lifestyle changes needed to ensure successful long-term weight loss and health maintenance.

Why Choose Weight Loss Surgery?

People seek weight loss surgery for a number of reasons, including to improve health, regain personal confidence, and benefit their families. Our patients have typically tried dieting, exercise and even other weight loss programs or bariatric surgery procedures, but the results have been unsatisfactory or they have not been able to maintain their weight loss. When they come to us, they are seeking a long-term solution. While weight loss surgery is very effective, it is only one of the resources needed to maintain weight loss. The team at Alabama Surgical Associates strives to equip patients with the tools, education, and care they can rely on to reach their health goals. Many patients have chosen our practice to assist them in their weight loss journey, and we have been honored to see their lives happily transformed.

Who Qualifies for Weight Loss Surgery?

During a consultation with Dr. Doucette, your specific health needs will be assessed. People who meet the following qualifications may be candidates for weight loss surgery:

Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI of 40 or 35 with related medical problems including: high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, worn joints, acid reflux, and fatty liver among other problems.

Age 18-70

Most of our patients are between the ages of 18 and 70 although patients over 70 years old may be candidates depending on their medical history and overall health status.

Physical Exam

Each of our patients undergoes a thorough physical exam and discussion of their medical history with our surgeon.

Lifestyle Changes

Patients must be willing and motivated to commit to a new lifestyle that includes healthy eating and exercise.

Calculate Your BMI


ft. in.

lbs.

Your Results
BMI < 20
Underweight
BMI 20 - 24.9
Healthy Weight
BMI 25 - 29.9
Overweight
BMI 30 - 34.9
Class 1 Obesity
BMI 35 - 39.9
Class 2 Obesity
BMI 40 - 49.9
Class 3 Obesity
BMI > 50
Class 4 Obesity

INBODY SCAN - BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS

Our practice leverages the InBody 570 Body Composition Analyzer for precise assessment of weight loss surgery candidacy and ongoing patient support. This tool quickly provides detailed body composition insights, crucial for evaluating health beyond just weight, focusing on essential metrics like muscle, fat, and water content. The analyzer also shows us where patients carry their muscle mass, bringing any potential imbalances or deficiencies to our attention. It plays a vital role in both pre-surgery evaluations and post-surgery progress monitoring, helping us tailor our approach to each patient’s unique needs, from identifying fat loss to adjusting treatment plans during weight loss plateaus.

As a patient at Alabama Surgical Associates, your dietitian will guide you through the painless InBody 570 Body Composition Analysis process. Please note that you should not eat or drink anything for 3 hours before your scan, so you may prefer to schedule this appointment for the morning.

InBody Scan

Start Your Weight Loss Journey

We often hear from patients that their only regret is not starting sooner. If you would like to meet with Dr. Doucette to discuss your options for weight loss surgery in Huntsville, call us at (256) 880-1977 or click here for a free insurance check. Our patient coordinator will be able to help you with insurance and financing questions as well.