Gastric Bypass Surgery: BMI Requirements & Eligibility

Gastric bypass is typically recommended for people who are severely obese and have tried other weight loss methods without success. The exact definition of severe obesity varies but typically refers to people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. This means that a 5-foot-9 person would need to weigh over 249 pounds to be considered for gastric bypass.

Other factors that may be taken into consideration when determining if someone is a good candidate for gastric bypass include:

- Age

- Overall health

- Medical history

- Lifestyle factors

- Psychological readiness for surgery