Having bariatric surgery normally requires that you meet some guidelines set beforehand. Of the many candidacy requirements for gastric sleeve, one stands out the most – your Body Mass Index, or frequently called BMI.
The BMI is such a huge component to qualifying for VSG because it uses height and weight to determine how much body mass you have classified into a handful of different weight classes.
- Underweight: < 18.5 BMI
- Normal: 18.5 < 24.9
- Overweight: 24.9 < 29.9
- Obese: 30 < 34.9
- Morbidly Obesity: 35+
General Requirements for VSG
Most surgeons in the United States will not approve sleeve gastrectomy patients who are under 40 BMI, for this type of weight loss surgery. However, if you are under 30 BMI, surgeons do not approve of these patients around the world.
In the U.S. alone, your BMI must be accompanied by a weight-related co-morbidity, such as diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol – you are likely to be a good candidate. Having additional health risks, also known as co-morbidities, puts your overall health risks higher than those who are just obese.
Gastric Sleeve Qualification Requirements (in Mexico)
Typically, people who travel to Mexico for gastric sleeve surgery are people who lack insurance, and/or need a low-cost option for bariatric surgery.
In Mexico, candidacy requirements for gastric sleeve surgery are primarily based on your BMI greater than 30+. This classifies you as obese. Depending on the facility, there are age restrictions usually ranging from 14 years old to 72 years old (anything outside of that range generally will not qualify with Mexico surgeons).
Another important point about gastric sleeve surgery is that it’s only for people who want a completely non-reversible option for weight loss surgery. There are no adjustments or malabsorption issues with this surgery.
Most bariatric physicians want each patient to fully understand all the possible risks, complications, side effects, and what to expect after the surgery.