Getting Started

If you’re struggling to lose weight and are ready to make a change, you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery.

BMI and its Classification

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is one measure used to define overweight and obesity. It generally reflects the amount of excessive body fat although there are certain exceptions, such as the BMI of a woman who is pregnant, an athlete, a body builder or the elderly.

BMI does not necessarily take into account a person’s distribution of fat (abdominal vs. peripheral) and is not a good measurement of the metabolic activity of a person’s fat tissue.

Candidates for bariatric surgery must have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35 with weight-related conditions or a BMI greater than 40 without weight-related conditions. Candidates must also have tried unsuccessfully in the past to lose weight through diet and exercise.