Praxis Medical Insights

Est. 2024 • Clinical Guidelines Distilled

Made possible by volunteer editors from the University of Calgary & University of Alberta

Last Updated: 1/5/2026

Bariatric Surgery Referral for Severe Obesity

Indications for Surgical Referral

  • Patients with a body‑mass index > 40 kg/m² who have not achieved sufficient weight loss with anti‑obesity medication should be promptly referred for bariatric surgery, as surgery is regarded as the definitive treatment for severe obesity. 4