Bariatric Surgery Eligibility
Understand your eligibility for Bariatric or Weight Loss Surgery.
Am I eligible for Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is usually offered to people who are very obese (with a body mass index over 40) and/or a high waist circumference are at increased risk of:
- Several types of cancer
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
People with a body mass index over 35 who have other serious health problems like diabetes or heart disease are also eligible.
Surgery is typically considered only after dietary modifications and physical activity options have been tried.
BMI calculator
BMI
What’s Your Body Mass Index (BMI)?
Bariatric surgery is usually offered to people who are very obese (with a body mass index over 40) OR people with a body mass index over 35 who have other serious health problems like diabetes or heart disease.
To calculate your BMI:
- Weigh yourself wearing light clothes and no shoes if possible
- Have someone measure your height standing against a wall and facing straight ahead
- Check your BMI with FREE calculator below
What’s Your Waist Circumference?
Bariatric surgery is also offered to people with a high waist circumference that are at increased risk of:
- Several types of cancer
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
To measure your waist circumference, follow 4 simple steps:
- Measure directly against your skin.
- Breathe out normally.
- Make sure the tape is snug the whole way around, without compressing the skin.
- Measure around the narrowest point of your waist, roughly in line with your belly button.
Men
Lowest risk: below 94 cm
Increased risk: 94 – 102 cm
Highest risk: above 102 cm
Women
Lowest risk: below 80 cm
Increased risk: 80 – 88 cm
Highest risk: above 88 cm