Eligibility criteria for surgery

In order to be eligible for obesity surgery, a number of conditions must be met. These conditions are correlated with the reimbursement criteria for obesity surgery in Belgium:

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To start with, evaluation by a multidisciplinary team is necessary. This means that a consultation with the following people is scheduled:

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• Surgeon

• Dietician

• Psychologist/psychiatrist

• Endocrinologist + blood test

 

The purpose of these consultations is to get a detailed overview of your general health. Potential surgical options as well as the pre- and postoperative pathway will be discussed with you.

 

Afterwards, in a multidisciplinary team meeting, it is discussed whether surgery can be provided as an appropriate therapeutic option. If you are not eligible for an operation or if you have any doubts concerning surgery, an alternative treatment plan will be proposed. 

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You are eligible for reimbursement of the surgical procedure if you meet the following criteria :

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• You are 18 years or older

 

• You have a BMI of 40 or more.

 

• You have a BMI of 35 or more along with 1 or more of the following conditions :

  • Sleep apnea diagnosed during a sleep study

  • Type 2 diabetes treated with medication

  • Persistent high blood pressure despite treatment with 3 types of medication for at least 1 year

 

• You have a BMI of 35 and you have had a previous bariatric procedure but there is insufficient result or there are complications as a result of the previous procedure (revisional surgery)

 

• You have tried to lose weight by means of a non-surgical treatment for at least 1 year.

 

If a surgical treatment is planned, a number of pre-operative examinations will be scheduled (abdominal ultrasound, gastroscopy, ECG)

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