If you have struggled with weight loss and are now considering seeking medical intervention, you may be wondering if you meet the gastric sleeve requirements.
Often, the surgeon you choose, as well as your medical insurance company, will have criteria to meet that qualify you as a candidate. Both have BMI requirements, but there is also a bit more involved because there are more things they consider before they will schedule your surgery.
Today, we will give you an overview of traditional BMI requirements and other gastric sleeve requirements your surgeon may require to determine if this weight loss surgery is the best choice for you.
What Does “Gastric Sleeve Requirements” Mean?
Gastric sleeve requirements are the basic medical guidelines doctors use to decide if this weight loss surgery may be a safe and helpful option for your needs and circumstances.
Meeting the basic medical requirements is not a guarantee that you will be approved for the surgery because this is only one step. Your surgeon or your medical insurance company may have their own gastric sleeve requirements you must meet beyond the basic health and safety criteria.
A gastric sleeve, also called sleeve gastrectomy, is a surgery that makes your stomach much smaller so you feel full faster and eat less. It involves permanently removing about 75% of your stomach tissue and a four to six-week recovery period. Qualifying for this surgery may involve meeting several requirements, including:
- Your BMI range
- If you have any weight-related health conditions
- Your readiness for making permanent lifestyle changes
- Results of medical testing and evaluations
- Your medical insurance approval process (if using)
What BMI Requirements Are Usually Used For Gastric Sleeve?
A common starting point for gastric sleeve requirements is a BMI of 40 or higher because this is linked to an elevated risk of developing serious health problems.
In some cases, individuals with lower BMI may be considered for gastric sleeve surgery. Meeting the gastric sleeve requirements is not only about how much excess weight you have, but also how it is affecting your health.
Patients with a lower BMI may be considered for gastric sleeve surgery in certain circumstances. Some people may have a BMI of between 35 and 39.9 and would not normally meet the BMI requirement of 40, but they have health issues that are related to their weight, such as any of the following:
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
Your BMI is calculated using your weight and height and is used by many different medical professionals and insurers as a simple screening tool and quick benchmark of your health. If you are unsure of your BMI, you can find it using this online BMI calculator.
| BMI Range | Weight Category |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 to 24.9 | Normal weight |
| 25.0 to 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 to 34.9 | Obesity Class 1 |
| 35.0 to 39.9 | Obesity Class 2 |
| 40.0 and above | Obesity Class 3 |
Other Common Gastric Sleeve Requirements Beyond BMI
Aside from your current BMI, your surgeon also looks at other aspects of your health, your history of weight loss attempts, and if you are mentally ready to implement and stick to the changes in your lifestyle that will be required after you undergo gastric sleeve surgery.
Your surgeon may consider the following additional gastric sleeve surgery requirements:
- Your weight loss history and what diet and lifestyle changes you have tried and been unsuccessful with.
- Counseling in nutrition and lifestyle to help you understand why and how your habits will need to permanently change.
- A psychological evaluation to demonstrate that you understand and are ready for the emotional and physical demands that will be required of you after your surgery.
- If you smoke or not. For safety reasons, most surgeons will not perform surgery on someone who is a frequent smoker unless they commit to quitting a few months before their surgery and until they have fully healed.
- Blood work that indicates the proper functioning of your organs and your current vitamin and nutrient levels.
- You may need to follow a special pre-surgery diet or reach a small weight loss goal to reduce the risks of surgery and demonstrate your commitment to sticking to a healthy diet going forward.
These requirements are in place to make qualifying for surgery harder, but to help the surgeon decide if surgery is the best option to help you lose weight safely.
Are There Gastric Sleeve Requirements If Medical Insurance Is Involved?
Yes. If you are expecting your insurance plan to pick up some or all of the tab for your surgery, you will also have to meet their gastric sleeve requirements.
Some of these requirements may be the same as your surgeon’s, and some may be different. Some of what your insurance company requires may include the following:
- That you are at least 18 years old.
- You must meet the basic BMI requirements and the standard bariatric surgery health criteria.
- You undergo a complete psychological evaluation.
- Verifiable documentation that you have tried to lose weight within the last two years using a 6-month structured program or two separate 3-month programs like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig.
- You can demonstrate that you clearly understand the lifestyle changes you will need to make after surgery.
Every insurance carrier and the plans they offer can be significantly different, so it is important to check your specific policy to determine your coverage.
Your surgeon may approve you for gastric sleeve surgery, but if you plan on using your insurance to help cover the costs, they will also require that you meet all of their criteria before your surgery can be scheduled.
What Are Some Reasons You Might Not Meet The Gastric Sleeve Requirements?
Not everyone is a good candidate for gastric sleeve surgery. The surgeon will consider your health, safety risks, and your ability to commit to the long term changes needed after surgery. Even if you desire the surgery, there may be certain medical or lifestyle considerations that delay or prevent approval. Some of the reasons may include:
- Too low a BMI without chronic weight-related health problems.
- There are untreated mental health conditions that may affect recovery or habits.
- Active substance abuse issues.
- Certain medical conditions that make surgery unsafe.
- Unable to follow a diet, exercise, and follow-up care after surgery
- Lack of previous attempts at medically supervised weight loss.
- Smoking or nicotine use that continues.
- Incomplete medical testing or evaluations
Are There Other Similar Options If I Do Not Meet The Gastric Sleeve Requirements?
Yes. If you would prefer a non-surgical alternative or do not meet the BMI requirements for gastric sleeve surgery, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) may be a good choice for you.
ESG makes your stomach smaller, but without removing any of it, and without the use of surgery. Your stomach size is reduced during an endoscopic procedure by placing sutures in certain locations, so you can only eat very small amounts, and you feel full longer.
Most patients recover within just a few days, and the weight loss potential is similar to that of gastric sleeve surgery. Johns Hopkins published a study that reported that both ESG and gastric sleeve surgery offer the potential for significant weight loss. The study stated that after 6 months, the patients who had the ESG procedure lost about 17 percent of their total body weight vs. 24 percent lost by those who had gastric sleeve surgery. The study also noted that ESG offered fewer risks and a faster recovery than the surgery.
To learn more, schedule a consultation.
Where Can I Learn More About ESG Non-Surgical Weight Loss In Miami?
If you are looking for help with weight loss, Dr. Okeefe Simmons offers the non-surgical ESG procedure in Miami.
Dr. Simmons at Simmons MD Weight and Health Solutions specializes in gastroenterology, bariatric endoscopy, and obesity medicine. He and his team of experts can create a safe, personalized plan to help you succeed with weight loss based on your current health and the results you would like to achieve.
Schedule a consultation today to find out more about ESG and other non-surgical weight loss options that may be a good fit for you.
FAQs
Can I Get a Gastric Sleeve with a BMI Under 40?
Yes. Sometimes those who have a BMI of less than 40 can qualify for the surgery if they have obesity-related health conditions. A bariatric surgeon can look over your medical history, assess your current health, and review other relevant gastric sleeve requirements before determining if gastric sleeve surgery would be the best option for you.
Can I Qualify for Gastric Sleeve Surgery if I Have Serious Health Problems Caused by My Weight?
Yes. Often, metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea can be determining factors in whether you qualify for gastric sleeve surgery, even if you have a lower BMI.
How Much Weight Can You Lose with ESG?
Most patients lose between 15 and 20 percent of their total body weight within the first year. The results can vary based on how well the individual practices healthy lifestyle habits, including diet and exercise.
Is ESG Safer than Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
ESG is considered less invasive and has a lower risk of complications since there are no surgical incisions. ESG also has an average recovery time of 3 days vs. the four to six weeks needed after typical gastric sleeve surgery.
