There are certain criteria you must meet to qualify for gastric bypass or other weight loss surgery.
Weight loss surgery is becoming more popular as people look for successful ways of losing excess pounds. Before you spend time and money finding a surgeon, you should know that not everyone will qualify for gastric bypass surgery.
The first thing you need to know is your Body Mass Index (BMI). You can figure this out manually by dividing your weight by your height in inches squared and multiply by 703 – or you can use one of the many online BMI calculator programs available. Just do a search for “BMI calculator” and you will get over three million results. You can also ask your doctor.
Patients looking to undergo bariatric surgery must have a BMI between 40 and 50. That works out to 100 lbs or more overweight for men and 80lbs or more overweight for women. Surgery above this range is riskier than normal. If your BMI is more than 50, you won’t be disqualified, you will just be asked to lose up to 8% of your weight before undergoing surgery. In fact, you may be required to lose some weight before surgery in any case, as a requirement of your insurance policy.
Are you too young or too old to qualify for gastric bypass?
Age plays a part in many surgeons decisions whether you qualify for gastric bypass or other weight loss surgery. Many doctors won’t do these procedures unless the patient is between 15 and 50 years old. Underage patients will need a parent’s consent. Some doctors will set their age range at 18 to 55. One major thing to consider is studies have shown higher risks of complications and death in older patients undergoing the weight loss surgery.
What if you’re the right age, but you don’t qualify for gastric bypass because of your BMI?
Perhaps you fall short a few BMI points and you desperately want to lose the pounds to better your health. You may still qualify if you have a serious or life threatening obesity-related illness that could improve with weight loss. Illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, plus a BMI of 35 or above may allow you to qualify for gastric bypass or lap band surgery.
Certain illnesses, mainly psychological ones, will disqualify a person from bariatric surgery.
Illnesses like schizophrenia, bi-polar, and depression are all made worse when a patient undergoes rapid weight loss. Every patient will, or should, undergo a thorough psychological evaluation before one of these surgeries are performed. Cheating or lying on these tests may bring harm to yourself. Take the time to deal with your psychological issues before considering bariatric surgery.
Weight loss intervention procedures can enhance a persons life greatly, but only if they are the right candidate. Bariatric surgery performed on someone who doesn’t ft the criteria will be riskier and may cause unforeseen problems. A BMI between 40 and 50 qualifies and a BMI of 35 with serious health issues will also get you in. If you qualify, congratulations. Be prepared for a major lifestyle change if you discover that you do qualify for gastric bypass.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I am 65 but I exercise approximately 90 minutes five times a week. I don’t qualify BMI but I have type II diabetes and multiple co-morbidities. I have mild gastric paresis, sleep apnea, and now a weaking of the abdominal wall. My pcp said I would qualify for gastric bypass, and I have asked one endocrinologist who said I have enough co-morbidities to qualify. I am concerned about my age. I go to two gyms one for aerobics four days a week and the other for water aerobics three days a week. Also I walk a mile five days a week. I weigh 221 and I am 5’5” what is your opinion
I think the best advice for you will come from a doctor who has no possible financial connection to the potential surgery. If your endocrinologist has done a complete exam, and has said that you not only qualify, but that the surgery should be relatively safe, then that would be one good source. A second opinion might be best coming from your GP, if you have one. As you obviously know, major surgery has higher risks for people as they get older, so be sure to get as many professional opinions as possible – and make sure the advice is coming from people who know your complete medical history.