Cheshire and South Manchester
Weight Loss Surgery Service

Your BMI explained

• When can Bariatric Surgery be offered?

  There is no specific weight over which a person becomes suitable for weight loss surgery. It can depend on how tall you are. For example, some one who weighs 15 stone and is six feet tall would be classed as overweight but weight loss surgery would not usually be recommended form them, whereas a person who is five feet tall and weighs 15 stone, would be classed as morbidly obese and would qualify for surgery. It really depends on the amount of weight you can safely carry. To calculate for this, we use a formula known as the Body Mass Index, or BMI for short.

  NICE guidance on obesity (2006) recommends that surgery be considered for people with severe obesity if:

  • They have a BMI of 40kg/m² or more, or between 35kg/m² and 40 kg/m² and other significant disease (for example type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure) that could be improved if they lost weight
  • All appropriate non-surgical measures have failed to achieve or maintain adequate clinically beneficial weight management for at least six months
  • They are receiving or will receive intensive specialist management
  • They are generally fit for anaesthesia and surgery
  • They commit to the need for long-term follow-up

  
  Take your first step towards weight-loss and your improved lifestyle
  
  Whilst this website provides you with much of the information you need about your choices to lose weight, it cannot replace direct personal advice from weight-loss surgery specialists: surgeons, dieticians and nurses. We offer free weight loss surgery mini consultations to help provide the information you need. We want to help you make the decision that’s right for you.

  Call our helpful customer services team on 01625 505 412 for prices, appointments or general information.