Weight-loss surgery is for those people with roughly 100 or more pounds to lose. The “target” weights are based on government panel discussions and large amounts of data collected showing weight ranges that promote overall good health. So, there are some firm guidelines in place. You might feel you are a candidate, but the first step is determining your body mass index (BMI), which pairs your height and weight, giving a single number. Calculate your BMI (see Tools and Resources below) or simply take your present weight, multiply it by 704, and divide it by your current height (in inches). Take this number and divide again by your height in inches to determine your BMI.
Candidates for weight-loss surgery need to have:

• A BMI of 40 or higher. This falls into the category of severe obesity, and BMI alone is the established criteria (no illnesses need to be documented).
  
• A BMI ranging between 35 and 39.9, plus significant medical illness related to your weight, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or sleep apnea.

These criteria are only the starting point. Even if you meet them, you need to be committed to a healthy lifestyle and its implications. Understanding and accepting that the surgery is a support to making the lifestyle effort easier is key to long-term success. If you’re waiting for the surgery to “kick in” and the weight to melt off by itself, you will be sorely mistaken, and it’s not right for you.

If you have lost weight in the past and struggled to keep it off, you’re definitely on the right track. If you would like to get back to regular exercise but your weight makes it too difficult, you’re headed in the right direction. Surgery is a choice, and it can be a life-changing experience if you know what to expect and anticipate the relentless devotion to a healthy lifestyle. A strong commitment and good support from family and friends are important indicators of long-term success.

If you are thinking about surgery, you need to go into this experience with 100 percent commitment. If you’re not sure, then wait a while, until you feel that total enthusiasm and can totally engage in a new lifestyle.