Bariatric Surgery

Is weight-loss surgery right for you?

To be a candidate for weight-loss surgery, patients should meet all of the criteria established by the National Institutes of Health.

One of the key criteria is your body mass index (BMI). Your BMI is used to determine whether you have severe (also called "morbid") obesity.  Use the "BMI Calculator" and "Gauge Your Results" on this page to determine your BMI and your severity of obesity.

• Individuals with a BMI of 40 or more may qualify for bariatric surgery.
• If your BMI is 35 or more, and you have an obesity-related health problem (type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure), then you may also be a candidate for bariatric surgery.

Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

Your BMI is calculated from your body weight and your height.   Use the equations below to calculate your BMI, depending on whether your weight and height are in metric units (kilograms and meters) or in pounds and inches:
 

Calculation of BMI using kilograms and meters:
1)    weight in kg   ÷   height in m²    =    Body Mass Index (BMI)

Calculation of BMI using pounds and inches:
2)    weight (lbs)   x   703   ÷   height in inches²   =    Body Mass Index (BMI)
 

BMI Calculator and Gauge for Severity of Obesity

Instead of the formulas above, you can use our "BMI Calculator" that follows to calculate your BMI.

Then use the "Gauge Your Results" chart to determine whether this BMI qualifies as obesity.