1. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Obesity Education Initiative. Practical guide to the identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Nhlbi.nih.gov. Accessed February 5, 2008.
2. Dixon, JB.O'Brien, PE.Playfair, J.  Chapman, L.Schachter, LM, et al. Overweight Patients With Diabetes Appear More Likely to Achieve Remission with Weight-Loss Surgery. JAMA 2008; 2993: 316-323.
3. WebMD’s Medical Reference: “Your Options in Weight Loss Surgery: Making the Choice. “
4. WebMD’s Medical Reference: “Life After Weight Loss Surgery: Effects from Head to Toe.”
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The Weight Loss Surgery Health Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help patients better understand how factors related to diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring can affect clinical outcomes.

A Health Score of:

• 30-40
  • A score in this range suggests someone who mostly lives a healthy lifestyle and although possibly overweight, is unlikely to require surgery.
• 10-30
  • A score in this range suggests someone who has trouble with weight, and it has started to impact other areas of his or her health. Nevertheless, people with scores in this range are motivated and the likeliest candidates for surgery.
• Less than 10
  • A score in this range suggests someone who is overweight and has had this problem significantly impact other areas of his or her health. With a score in this range, someone would have to make a commitment to lifestyle changes in order to obtain the best benefit from weight loss surgery.

The Health Score is presented for general information purposes only and may not be accurate for everyone who wants to know about weight loss surgery. It is not intended to be a substitute or replacement for an evaluation by a qualified medical provider. Only your doctor can determine which diagnostic procedures and medical treatments are right for you. The Weight Loss Surgery Health Score is based only on the current answers provided and may vary widely between Weight Loss Surgery Health Check sessions.

The Weight Loss Surgery Well-being Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help patients examine how personal attitudes, beliefs, and support from others may affect their health and overall quality of life.

A Well-being Score of:

• 30-40
  • A score in this range generally reflects a good attitude and a willingness to make sometimes-difficult lifestyle choices to improve health. Though this individual may be overweight, it has had a minimal impact on overall well-being.
• 10-30
  • A score in this range generally reflects a less-than-total commitment in pursuit of better health. This individual’s weight has had a moderate impact on overall well-being.
• Less than 10
  • A score in this range generally reflects someone who has not made a commitment to the lifestyle changes needed to improve health. The individual’s overall well-being has also been adversely impacted.

The Weight Loss Surgery Knowledge Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help patients make better medical decisions through a process of self-testing supported by tailored information to fill critical knowledge gaps.

A Knowledge Score of:

• 15 - 20
  • A score in this range generally reflects an excellent overall understanding of weight loss surgery.
• 5-15
  • A score in this range generally reflects adequate understanding of  weight loss surgery.
• 0-5
  • A score in this range generally reflects someone who needs to learn more about weight loss surgery before engaging in decision-making.