Calculate Your BMI
At Lenox Hill Hospital, our surgeons care deeply about the health of their patients. That’s why we take the time to carefully evaluate each patient to determine the best weight loss treatment for them–one factor in our evaluation is Body Mass Index (BMI).
Use the tool below to calculate your BMI. To be a candidate for weight loss surgery, our patients must have:
- A BMI of 40 or higher or
- A BMI of 35 and the presence of an obesity-related health condition
| BMI | Classification | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18.5 | Underweight | Minimal |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Healthy Weight | Minimal |
| 25 – 29.9 | Overweight | Increased |
| 30 – 39.9 | Obese | High |
| 40 and higher | Severely Obese | Extremely High |
Additional Criteria
While BMI is a major criterion for identifying bariatric surgery candidates, several other factors must also be considered. At Lenox Hill Hospital, we also consider:
- Non-surgical weight loss options: Making the decision to undergo bariatric surgery is a big commitment. Because of this, we will first work with candidates to ensure they have explored available non-surgical weight loss options. Our staff will provide resources for options like diet change, behavior modification, and exercise. After you have explored all available non-surgical options, we will consider bariatric surgery as the primary treatment and work with you to determine which surgery is best for you.
- Underlying Causes: When considering bariatric surgery, it is important to explore the cause of your excess weight. Rarely, excess weight is the result of an underlying medical or hormonal condition. In such cases, non-surgical medical weight loss is typically the best solution. Even when bariatric surgery isn’t optimal, we will always work to find a solution that is the best fit for you.
- Communication and Information: Before undergoing bariatric surgery, it is important that you are fully informed. Our staff and surgeons will fully explain all expected results and possible complications. Being fully informed will provide realistic expectations – which we have found to improve patient results.
- Surgery Risks: Any surgery, including bariatric surgery, presents it some amount of risk. As we inform you on the details of the bariatric procedure itself, we also want you to be aware of any risks involved. While surgical complications are reasonably rare, they remain a possibility and we will work to minimize them as best we can.
- Commitment: Bariatric surgery requires commitment. Pre- and post-surgical commitments to diet, exercise, and lifestyle change are an important part of your weight loss success. At Lenox Hill, we want to see our patients succeed, so our staff is dedicated to providing education and ensuring you are prepared for the commitments ahead.
Ready to get started? Begin by calculating your BMI with our calculator above. Once you’ve determined your BMI, you can get additional information by registering for a free informational seminar or calling us at 1-888-949-9344.