Bariatric Weight Guidelines (and How to Calculate Your Own BMI)

Is weight loss surgery for individuals 50 pounds overweight an option? How overweight do you have to be to get gastric bypass? These are common questions when the subject of bariatric weight comes up. And, at General and Vascular Surgery (GVS) our resident expert and fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon Dr. Luis Benavente is more than happy to answer questions—whether they are about bariatric weight range or other guidelines for bariatric surgery. Continue reading to learn more about bariatric weight guidelines and what you need to know prior to moving forward with weight-loss surgery.

Weight Guidelines and Other Criteria for Bariatric Surgery

The approved guidelines for bariatric surgery include a combination of bariatric weight minimums and body mass index (BMI) criteria for the following:

• BMI of less than or equal to 40, and 100 pounds overweight
• BMI of less than or equal to 35, and a medical condition (for example, type II diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, gastrointestinal disease, heart disease, or sleep apnea)

Is Weight-Loss Surgery for Slightly Overweight Individuals an Option?

A bariatric surgeon does consider weight-loss surgery for people who have not been able to lose weight after a sustained period of time and effort (eating healthy, exercising). If, however, a person has a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, they likely would not be considered for bariatric surgery (because this BMI range is within “normal” limits.) To give you an idea of a “normal”  BMI, versus an overweight BMI or BMI that is considered obese, take a look at this comparison: Height: 5’10’ + Weight: 170 pounds = 24.2 BMI (normal) Height: 5’10’ + Weight: 180 pounds = 25.62 BMI (overweight) Height: 5’10’ + Weight: 250 pounds = 35.59 BMI (overweight) A BMI of 40 or higher is considered morbidly obese. You can calculate your own BMI, using the helpful calculator provided by The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

Learning More About Bariatric Weight With Dr. Benavente

Dr. Benavente encourages questions about bariatric weight and surgery. His compassionate nature and expertise in minimally-invasive bariatric surgical approaches have gained him recognition throughout the Greater Michiana area. He welcomes you to schedule a consultation to discuss your weight-loss goals and answer any questions you may have. Or, feel free to reach out for questions at 574-236-1888—it’s time!