How Overweight Do I Need to Be to Qualify for Bariatric Surgery?

With summer around the corner, you may be thinking about trying to lose weight — again. Losing weight and keeping it off is challenging and, for many, can seem nearly impossible.

In the United States, more than 40% of adults are obese. For those who try and fail to lose weight repeatedly, diet and exercise alone aren’t enough to produce lasting results.

Studies show that bariatric surgery, an umbrella term for several types of weight loss surgery, is the most effective way to lose substantial weight and sustain that weight loss compared with GLP-1 medications and lifestyle interventions.

You may be wondering if bariatric surgery is right for you, and if now is the time to do it. Fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon Michael Sutker, MD, in Dallas, Texas, is here to answer all your questions about bariatric surgery — starting with the most common one he gets.

Weight guidelines for bariatric surgery

The primary tool used to determine whether you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery is your body mass index (BMI). A calculation based on your weight relative to your height, your BMI number helps determine if you’re at a healthy weight.

While your BMI isn’t the only criterion for weight loss surgery, it serves as a strong starting point. Clinical guidelines for bariatric surgery state that qualifying candidates have a:

BMI of 40 or higher: You qualify for bariatric surgery
BMI of 35-39.9 with related health issues: You qualify if you have weight-related conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea
BMI of 30-34.9: You may still be considered if you have metabolic conditions that haven’t improved with other treatments

While these numbers are helpful, there are other considerations that help Dr. Sutker decide if you might be a successful candidate for bariatric surgery.

Other considerations in addition to your BMI

Bariatric surgery candidacy isn’t based solely on a BMI cutoff. Your overall health, how your weight affects your health, and the efforts you’ve made in the past to lose weight are other factors that contribute to your viability as a candidate for surgery.

Bariatric surgery is generally a last resort for those who can’t lose weight on their own — and is also effective for reducing associated health risks. Your willingness to make healthy lifestyle changes and stick with them is also a major determining factor for your candidacy.

When evaluating whether surgery is appropriate, Dr. Sutker considers:

Your diet and exercise routine history
Whether you have weight-related medical conditions
Your ability to commit to long-term lifestyle changes
Your physical and emotional readiness for surgery

In other words, it’s not all about your BMI. If your weight is impacting your health or quality of life, it may be time to explore all your options to achieving long-term weight loss — including bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery in Dallas, Texas

To learn more about bariatric surgery options and find out if you’re a good candidate for one of the procedures, call Michael Sutker, MD, in Dallas, Texas, today, or use our online booking tool to request an appointment at your convenience.