There are several requirements to be eligible for bariatric surgery. One condition is that you would need to be about 100 pounds (or 45 kilograms) overweight.
Rather than relying only on the bathroom scale to tell you if you are overweight, experts say you should also know your body mass index (BMI). Your BMI accounts for not just your weight but also your height to indicate body fat.
The ideal BMI falls in the range between 18 and 25. If your BMI exceeds 35, you may be a good candidate for weight loss surgery. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk for disease, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea and high blood pressure. If your BMI is 30-40, you may need to have an obesity-related health condition to qualify for surgery.
BMI is calculated similarly for every person and is based on a mathematical formula that compares height to weight. BMI is calculated by dividing body weight (including muscle and fat) by height in inches squared and multiplying that amount by 703.
You can enter your height and weight into this calculator to learn your BMI.
Your BMI is only one factor used to determine eligibility for weight loss surgery. Schedule an appointment with a bariatric surgeon near you to learn more about the criteria.
Watch our free informational video to learn about the different weight loss surgery options we offer as well as eligibility requirements and what you can expect as a patient in the program.
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