If you are wondering whether bariatric (weight loss) surgery could help improve your health, your body mass index (BMI) is one factor your care team may look at. BMI estimates your amount of body fat based on height and weight.
Bariatric surgery may be recommended if a person has obesity that is affecting their health or putting them at higher risk for serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea or high blood pressure.
Our Banner Health bariatric specialists will work with you to understand your unique needs and determine whether surgery is the right next step.
BMI is a simple calculation used to categorize weight ranges:
While BMI isn’t perfect and doesn’t measure things like muscle mass, it is one helpful tool for guiding treatment decisions.
Calculate your BMI using our online BMI calculator.
General guidelines for bariatric surgery eligibility include:
BMI of 40 or higher
May qualify even without other health conditions
BMI of 35 - 39.9
May qualify if you also have obesity-related health conditions
Some people with a BMI of 30 - 34.9 may also qualify if they have type 2 diabetes or other serious medical concerns. Your bariatric care team will review your full health picture and medical history to help decide what is safe and appropriate.
Your BMI is only one factor. Other requirements may include:
Banner Health offers support before and after surgery, including nutrition counseling, behavioral health support and medically supervised weight management.
If you're thinking about weight loss surgery but still have questions, our free online bariatric surgery seminar is the best place to start. Led by experienced Banner Health bariatric surgeons, this quick 20-minute virtual session will help you understand your options, eligibility and what to expect.
Watch our free informational video to learn about the different weight loss surgery options we offer as well as eligibility requirements and what you can expect as a patient in the program.
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