BMI Calculator for Weight-Loss Surgery
Under ASMBS/IFSO 2022, surgery is recommended at BMI 35 or more, and considered at 30 to 34.9 in some cases. NIH's page uses 40, or 35 with a health problem.
Calculate your BMI
ASMBS and IFSO (2022) recommend weight-loss surgery at BMI 35 or higher, with or without other conditions.
Older NIH criteria are stricter: BMI 40+, 35+ with a serious obesity-related condition, or 30+ with hard-to-control type 2 diabetes. For Asian patients surgery may be considered from BMI 27.5. Only your surgeon can decide if you qualify.
Your result above is a screening number, not a yes or no. Under the 2022 guidelines from ASMBS and IFSO, metabolic and bariatric surgery is recommended at a BMI of 35 or more, with or without health problems. It's also recommended with type 2 diabetes at a BMI of 30 or more, and should be considered at 30 to 34.9 if other treatments have not worked.
What your number means
| BMI | ASMBS/IFSO 2022 | NIDDK (NIH) |
|---|---|---|
| 40 or more | Recommended | May be an option |
| 35 to 39.9 | Recommended, regardless of other conditions | May be an option with a serious obesity-related health problem |
| 30 to 34.9 with type 2 diabetes | Recommended | May be an option if diabetes is hard to control |
| 30 to 34.9 without diabetes | Should be considered if nonsurgical methods fail | Not listed |
| Under 30 | Not generally a candidate; lower thresholds apply for some Asian patients | Not listed |
The NIDDK page reflects older criteria and was last reviewed in 2020, so the two columns don't match. MedlinePlus notes that for people of Asian descent, the threshold for considering surgery is 27.5, and the 2022 statement addresses this too.
Why insurers may use a stricter line
U.S. coverage rules often lag behind the guidelines. NIDDK says Medicare and some Medicaid programs may cover surgery with, for example, a BMI of 35 or greater and obesity-related health problems, and some plans require a nonsurgical weight-loss program first. Cleveland Clinic says you may need three to six months on a supervised plan. Ask your insurer. See insurance and gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico.
How the number is worked out
BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters, squared. In U.S. units, multiply pounds by 703, then divide by height in inches, squared. The ASMBS's example is that an adult who is 5'11" and weighs 290 pounds has a BMI over 40. BMI doesn't measure body fat directly, so a surgeon will look at your health too.
BMI limits abroad
Clinics set their own rules, and some charge more at a higher BMI. Bariatrics Health Mexico, for example, adds $800 above a BMI of 50 and $1,200 above 60. A clinic accepting you at a lower BMI than these guidelines isn't proof you are a good candidate. Ask why, and ask your U.S. doctor too.
If your number is close to a line
Your BMI can shift across a threshold with a small change in weight. Some programs ask patients to lose weight before surgery, and clinics measure you themselves. So don't plan around a result of 34.8 or 35.2 until a doctor has weighed and measured you. Your health conditions matter as much as the number.
What to do next
- Talk to your primary care doctor about all your options, including medicine.
- Read BMI requirements for a gastric sleeve.
- Estimate your loss with the weight loss calculator.
- Compare sleeve prices in Mexico with the cost at home.
This calculator is for information only. It doesn't tell you whether surgery is right for you, so ask a qualified doctor.
Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy): the U.S. price
Typical U.S. price: From $19,459. Prices abroad and the source.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum BMI for weight-loss surgery?
Under ASMBS/IFSO 2022, it's generally 30 with type 2 diabetes or after failed nonsurgical treatment, and 35 for everyone else. Asian patients have lower thresholds.
Can I get a gastric sleeve with a BMI of 30?
Possibly. ASMBS/IFSO says to consider it at 30 to 34.9 if nonsurgical methods have not worked. U.S. insurers may be stricter.
Is there a maximum BMI for surgery?
These guidelines don't set a top limit. A very high BMI raises risk, so a surgeon may ask you to lose weight first. Some clinics charge more.
Why does the NIH page say 40?
NIDDK's page reflects older criteria, while ASMBS and IFSO updated theirs in 2022. Insurers may use either.
Sources
- 2022 ASMBS and IFSO: Indications for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery — ASMBS and IFSO
- Potential Candidates for Weight-loss Surgery — NIDDK, National Institutes of Health
- Gastric bypass surgery — MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
- 2022 ASMBS and IFSO Indications (full text) — Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 2022
- Definition and Facts for Weight-loss Surgery — NIDDK, National Institutes of Health
- Gastric Sleeve Surgery — Cleveland Clinic
- Is Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Right for You? — American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
- Gastric Sleeve in Mexico guide — xcuro