Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a useful indicator of whether or not you are a good candidate for Lap-Band Surgery.
LAP-BAND Surgery Patient Criteria
The LAP-BAND procedure is a safe and effective weight loss solution, but weight loss surgery is not for everyone who is overweight. Whether or not you are a good candidate for weight loss surgery is a decision that you and your doctor will make together. One of the most important measures of eligibility that your doctor will use is your Body Mass Index (BMI), a calculation based on your height and weight. Your BMI classifies you as either overweight, obese, or morbidly obese and determines if you fall in the range to be considered for Lap-Band Surgery.
What is the Body Mass Index (BMI)?
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is used as a measurement of body fat based on height and weight. The formula for determining your BMI is (weight in pounds) divided by (height in inches squared).
The BMI measurement categorizes weight as follows:
- Healthy Weight: BMI between 19 and 25
- Overweight: BMI between 25 and 30
- Obese: BMI over 30
- Severely (Morbidly) Obese: BMI is 40 or more
Because the BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat, it is possible for athletes to have a high BMI measurement but not be considered overweight.
Do I Qualify for Lap-Band Surgery?
Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a useful indicator of whether or not you are a good candidate for LAP-BAND Surgery. In general, weight loss surgery and the LAP-BAND® procedure may be the right approach if your BMI is over 40. For some people with a BMI less than 40 who have obesity related health conditions, LAP-BAND Surgery may still be a good choice. Other than BMI, a good indicator is if you weigh twice your ideal weight or are at least 100 pounds overweight.
Lap-Band Surgery may be right for you if:
- Your BMI is more than 40 or more than 35 with obesity related health conditions
- You weigh twice your ideal weight or are at least 100 pounds overweight
- You are between the ages of 18 and 60
- You have been overweight for 5 years or more
- You have been unable to lose weight thru diet and exercise
- You do not have an illness that has caused you to be overweight
- You do not drink too much alcohol
- You are committed to making changes in your diet and lifestyle
- You are willing to continue working with and be monitored by your LAP-BAND doctor
If you are interested in Lap-Band Surgery and want to see if it is right for you, take a step for your health and talk to your doctor about weight loss surgery.
