Pathway to Surgery
There are many factors to determine if you’re a candidate for weight loss surgery. Please read all of the details below. Call us or contact us today to schedule your evaluation or if you have any other questions or concerns.
| BMI | Classification | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18.5 | Underweight | Minimal |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal Weight | Minimal |
| 25 – 29.9 | Overweight | Increased |
| 30 – 34.9 | Obese | High |
| 35 – 39.9 | Severely Obese | Very High |
| 40+ | Morbidly Obese | Extremely High |
Where do you stand?
If your BMI was higher than 30, you may be an eligible candidate for weight loss surgery.
Find Yours
Morbidly Obese
A BMI greater than 40 indicates severe obesity. This level of obesity puts you at greatest risk for of obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, heart disease and risk of premature death.
Currently, many insurance companies do cover weight loss surgery for those within this range of BMI if coverage was purchased by their employer. To learn more about surgical treatment options, click here to register for our online webinar.
Severely Obese
Based on the height and weight you entered, you fall into the severely obese category.
Obese
Based on the height and weight you entered, you fall into the obese category. Being affected by obesity is associated with a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes, particularly if your body fat is concentrated around the abdomen.
In addition to the suggested lifestyle choices listed below, weight loss medications may be an option for those in the obese category.
Lifestyle choices that can lead to weight loss include:
- Making healthy food choices like lean proteins, fresh fruit and vegetables and avoiding simple sugars high-calorie beverages
- Incorporating more physical activity into your daily routine – park further away from the entrance, taking the stairs
- Developing an exercise routine – commit 45 to 60 minutes a day or several times a day in 5 to 10 minute intervals
- Breaking your learned habits of eating (cleaning your plate, afternoon coffee break, rewarding yourself with food, eating to quickly)
- Developing new habits of eating (eat when you are truly physically hungry, not in response to emotions, buying only healthy options, avoiding trigger foods)
Currently, the majority of insurance companies do not cover weight loss surgery for those within this range of BMI; however, you may be a candidate for either laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding or the gastric balloon as a self pay patient.
Overweight
Based on the height and weight you entered, you fall into the overweight category. Keep in mind, BMI does not take into account muscle mass, which means not everyone with a BMI in this range needs to lose weight. Being overweight is associated with a higher risk of disease, particularly if your body fat is concentrated around the abdomen.
Lifestyle choices that can lead to weight loss include:
- Making healthy food choices like lean proteins, fresh fruit and vegetables and avoiding simple sugars high-calorie beverages
- Incorporating more physical activity into your daily routine – park further away from the entrance, taking the stairs
- Developing an exercise routine – commit 45 to 60 minutes a day or several times a day in 5 to 10 minute intervals
- Breaking your learned habits of eating (cleaning your plate, afternoon coffee break, rewarding yourself with food, eating to quickly)
- Developing new habits of eating (eat when you are truly physically hungry, not in response to emotions, buying only healthy options, avoiding trigger foods)
At this level of BMI, the combination of dietary changes and exercise is often enough to bring your weight to a healthier level. For additional resources, our dietitians, exercise physiologist, psychologists and physicians create custom weight loss plans.
Healthy Weight
Congratulations! Your BMI is considered in the healthy range based on the height and weight you entered. Healthy food choices and regular exercise are the key to maintaining a healthy weight, especially as you become older.
Underweight
Based on the height and weight you entered, you fall into the underweight category.