Mini gastric bypass reduces the size of the stomach and limits the number of calories and nutrients that can be absorbed by the body. This procedure offers effective weight loss results that are similar to those of traditional gastric bypass. The primary difference is that mini gastric bypass is less invasive than traditional gastric bypass and requires smaller and fewer surgical incisions.
One factor that plays a big role in determining mini gastric bypass candidacy is the patient’s body mass index, or BMI. Here our Tijuana, Mexico patients can learn more about the ideal BMI for mini gastric bypass at our weight loss center, Tijuana Bariatrics.
Because mini gastric bypass is considered safer and less complicated than traditional gastric bypass, many of our patients are interested in finding out if they are ideal candidates for the procedure.
Calculating Your BMI
BMI measures a person’s body fat by comparing their weight to their height. To determine their BMI, patients should take their weight (in pounds) and divide it by their height (in inches) squared. The answer to that equation then needs to be multiplied by 703.
Medical professionals use BMI to determine whether a patient is underweight, within their ideal weight range, or overweight. If a person’s BMI is under 18.5, they are considered underweight. The BMI for the ideal weight range is between 18.5 and 25. A BMI between 25 and 30 is considered overweight, a BMI between 30 and 35 is moderately obese, a BMI between 35 and 40 is severely obese, and above 40 is considered morbidly obese.
How High Does My BMI Need to Be for Mini Gastric Bypass?
Mini gastric bypass carries less risk of complications than traditional gastric bypass, but it is still a serious surgical procedure. Because of the risks associated with bariatric surgery, these procedures are generally only recommended for individuals who have a significant amount of weight to lose. In most cases, mini gastric bypass surgery is intended for our Tijuana patients who have a BMI of 40 or higher.
What If I Have a Lower BMI?
Although the general guideline for mini gastric bypass candidacy is a BMI of 40 or above, the procedure can be performed on patients with a lower BMI. We offer mini gastric bypass to patients with a BMI between 35 and 40, if they have comorbidities.
Comorbidity describes the presence of one or more medical conditions that exist alongside a primary condition. In cases of potential mini gastric bypass patients, the primary condition would be obesity, and comorbidities would be any medical conditions that exist alongside obesity and threaten to further compromise the patient’s health.
Comorbidities that are common in obese patients include heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease, and sleep apnea. Since all of these conditions put a person at risk for serious health complications, it can be beneficial to perform mini gastric bypass on patients, even if their BMI is not at 40 or above.
Learn More
If you are significantly overweight and have had a difficult time losing weight, you may be an ideal candidate for mini gastric bypass. To learn more about this weight loss procedure, send a message to our staff at Tijuana Bariatrics to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.
