Can I get weight-loss surgery with a BMI of 35?

Author: Elroy Bosco  |  Last update: Sunday, December 28, 2025

Medical guidelines Weight-loss surgery might be an option for an adult with a BMI of 40 or higher. The surgery may also be an option for an adult who meets these three conditions: BMI of 35 or higher. At least one obesity-related medical condition.

Can I have surgery with BMI of 35?

It is likely to be safer for you to delay your operation until your BMI is lower. You can talk to your doctor or nurse about what to do about your prolapse or bladder leakage in the meantime. They will also be able to advise you what target weight to aim for. Ideally, you should aim for a BMI of less than 30.

What is the lowest BMI for weight-loss surgery?

Criteria for Adults

Bariatric surgery may be right for you if your BMI is over 30 and you meet these criteria. You are severely overweight. You have been overweight for more than five years. Your serious attempts to lose weight have led to only short-term success.

What are the options for weight-loss for BMI 35?

Your doctor may recommend weight-loss surgery if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher. Some doctors and professional groups recommend weight-loss surgery for people with a lower BMI if they have a serious health problem related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea.

Does a 34 BMI qualify for weight-loss surgery?

In some cases, you may qualify for certain types of weight-loss surgery if your BMI is 30 to 34 and you have serious weight-related health problems.

CRITERIA FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY | What Does My BMI Have to Be to Qualify for Weight Loss Surgery?

Can I get bariatric surgery with a BMI of 35?

Medical guidelines

Weight-loss surgery might be an option for an adult with a BMI of 40 or higher. The surgery may also be an option for an adult who meets these three conditions: BMI of 35 or higher. At least one obesity-related medical condition.

What does your BMI have to be to get Ozempic?

Candidates for Ozempic treatment for weight loss include individuals who have a BMI of 30 or higher and those with a BMI of 27 or higher as well as at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is not the right weight loss approach for everyone.

Is a BMI of 35 morbidly obese?

A BMI between 18 and 25 is desirable. A BMI over 25 suggests you're overweight, while 30-39 indicates you're obese. A BMI of 40+ suggests morbid obesity.

How long does it take to lose 40 pounds?

This rate is considered safe and sustainable, helping to ensure that you're losing fat while preserving lean muscle mass. Using this as a guideline, losing 40 pounds could take anywhere from 20 to 40 weeks, or roughly five to ten months. Of course, individual results can vary based on the factors mentioned earlier.

What BMI is unsafe for surgery?

While sometimes embarrassing or uncomfortable to discuss, and even though you may feel fit and healthy at your current weight, studies show that a patient with a body mass index, or BMI, above 40 is more likely to experience serious complications both during and after surgery than a patient with a BMI lower than 40.

What BMI will insurance cover weight-loss surgery?

Most insurance providers cover bariatric surgery if you are morbidly obese, with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 40, or have a BMI greater than or equal to 35 and two or more serious obesity-related conditions such as: Arthritis. Diabetes.

What does your BMI have to be to get Wegovy?

BMI equal or greater than 30. BMI equal or greater than 27 with one or more obesity-related conditions (like high blood pressure or diabetes)

Can I get lipo with a BMI of 35?

With a BMI between 30 and 35 you may still qualify for liposuction, but you are likely to see much better results from a tummy tuck. Your overall weight is still low enough that you're not likely to experience too many complications during surgery.

What is the lowest BMI for surgery?

Your doctor may recommend weight-loss surgery if:
  • Your BMI is at least 40 (or your BMI is at least 35 and you have other health problems related to your weight.
  • You have tried for at least 6 months to lose weight with diet and exercise.
  • You do not misuse alcohol.

How can I lower my BMI from 35 to 30?

How to reduce your BMI
  1. Reduce your daily calorie intake. Taking control of your calorie intake is a solid first step to losing weight and reducing your BMI. ...
  2. Avoid crash diets. While crash diets might tempt you with rapid results, they aren't a long-term solution and can be harmful to your health. ...
  3. Move more. ...
  4. Eat more fibre.

Is a BMI of 35 unhealthy?

18.5 to 24.9 – you're in the healthy weight range. 25 to 29.9 – you're in the overweight range. 30 to 39.9 – you're in the obese range. 40 or above – you're in the severely obese range.

How long does it take to lose 20 pounds?

To lose weight effectively and safely, aiming to lose 1 to 2 pounds (lbs) per week may be best. This means that losing 20 lbs may take 10 to 20 weeks. To lose weight, people will likely need to follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise. Some popular diets are effective initially but challenging to maintain.

What should I do if my BMI is 35?

If you are seriously overweight, have tried dieting and exercise but you fail to lose weight, weight loss surgery is a viable option to consider. If your weight is impacting the quality of your life, bariatric surgery can help you regain control of your life and improve your health.

What medication is used for weight loss?

What drugs are approved for weight loss?
  • Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave)
  • Liraglutide (Saxenda)
  • Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
  • Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
  • Semaglutide (Wegovy)
  • Setmelanotide (Imcivree)

What is a super obese BMI?

How does severe obesity differ from the other types of obesity? A person who has severe obesity has a BMI of 40 or higher, nearly twice the BMI level of someone who is classified as overweight. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.

Will insurance cover Ozempic for high BMI?

A health insurance provider might cover the costs of Ozempic when doctors prescribe it for high cholesterol if it helps address an obesity-related medical condition. However, having a high body mass index (BMI) alone may not be enough to qualify.

How long does it take to lose 50 pounds on semaglutide?

"Within about two weeks, I had already lost a few pounds," Schorr said. "Everyone was like, 'Oh, you already are looking like you're losing weight in just the first few days. '" Schorr said she lost 50 pounds over the course of 11 months.

What is the strongest weight loss prescription pill?

An analysis of 143 studies revealed that phentermine-topiramate and GLP-1 receptor agonists (like liraglutide and semaglutide) are among the most effective medications for reducing weight in people with obesity. The typical body weight reduction with these medications is 6% to 11%.

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