WHAT IS BMI?
BMI stands for body mass index and is a measure of a person’s weight in relation to height. It is considered an indicator of excess body fat and thus is used as a screening tool for an individual who is interested in weight loss or bariatric surgery.
The way BMI is calculated is by taking your weight in pounds divided by your height in inches squared, and then multiplying that number by 703.
The formula for BMI is (weight (lbs) / height (in)2) x 703 OR (weight (kg) / height (m)2)
The resulting number is a person’s BMI. This number puts him or her into a specific category of weight, whether that’s underweight, healthy weight, overweight or obese – but what does that mean regarding who’s eligible for weight loss surgery?
Generally speaking, the lowest possible BMI to qualify for weight loss surgery is in the 30 with documented obesity-related health conditions. Most insurance companies cover weight loss surgery in patients with BMIs, in the 35 to 39.9 range, provided they also have related health issues such as obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or joint replacement surgery. Those with a BMI 40 or greater may qualify for bariatric surgery just based on this criteria alone, without associated weight related condition.
What Does Your BMI Have to Be for Bariatric Surgery?
| BMI | Eligibility for Weight Loss Surgery |
| 40 or greater | Qualifies for weight loss surgery. |
| 35 – 39.9 | Qualifies for weight loss surgery with documentation of obesity-related health conditions (comorbidities) like obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes,hypertension, heart disease, and those needing joint replacement surgery. |
| 30 – 34.9 | Qualifies for weight loss surgery with documentation of obesity-related health conditions. Surgery for these patients is typically not covered by insurance, requiring self-pay. |
| 29.9 or lower | Not typically a candidate for weight loss surgery. Would benefit from weight management throughnutritional counseling and lifestyle changes. |
BMI Calculator for Weight Loss Surgery
Calculate Your BMI
| BMI | Classification | Health Risk |
| < 18.5 | Underweight | Minimal |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal | Minimal |
| 25 – 29.9 | Overweight | Increased |
| 30 – 34.9 | Obese | High |
| 35 – 39.9 | Severely obese | Very high |
| > 40 | Morbidly obese | Extremely high |
Obesity-Related Health Conditions
If you have struggled with your weight, then you know that it can affect every aspect of your quality of life. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the health risks attributable to obesity include:
- Coronary heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Metabolic syndrome
- Cancer
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Reproductive problems
- Gallstones
- Depression
INSURANCE CRITERIA
If you choose to have your surgery covered by your insurance company, they will likely have additional criteria for you to fulfill, which can include having a certain BMI, to get weight loss surgery. Click HERE to learn more about insurance and bariatric surgery.
If you choose to self-pay your surgery, please contact us for pricing information.
Schedule a Consultation
