Am I eligible for weight loss surgery?
Qualifications for weight loss surgery
Inova follows eligibility requirements for weight loss (bariatric) surgery established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Individuals must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater. In the presence of additional health risks, also known as co-morbidities, you may be eligible for weight loss surgery with a BMI of 35 or greater. This translates to being at least 100 pounds overweight.
The presence of health risks, also called co-morbidities, include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and sleep apnea, among others. All patients undergo a psychiatric exam to assure that they are emotionally able to work within the program guidelines after surgery.
Body Mass Index (BMI) Classifications
| Classification |
BMI |
U.S. Population |
| Overweight |
> 25.0 |
60 percent |
| Obese (class I) |
33.0 to 34.9 |
18 percent |
| Obese (class II) |
35.0 to 39.9 |
|
Clinically severe
obesity (class III) |
> 40.0 |
5 percent |
Click to try our free online BMI calculator 