Q. How obese should a person be before gastric band surgery is recommended?

A. The body mass index of a person who is considered obese is 30. Gastric band surgery is not recommended unless the person has a body mass index of 35.

Q. What are the benefits of gastric band surgery?

A. Benefits of gastric band surgery include weight loss, a short hospital stay, quick recovery and the ability to get the band adjusted overtime.

Q. What qualifications, other than body mass index, does a person have to meet before being eligible for gastric band surgery?

A. A person first must undergo a psychological evaluation and make a commitment to changing their eating habits before being considered for this surgery. The procedure is aimed moiré for adults but kids as young as 12 have been getting the procedure done.