Low BMI Surgery

Currently, insurance will not cover bariatric surgery for BMI less than 35. This is based on National Institute of Health guidelines that have not been changed for a long time. However, there is ample evidence that the gastric sleeve is extremely successful for patients in BMI less than 35. Current recommendations by ASMBS and IFSO guidelines recommend Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery for individuals with a BMI greater than 35 regardless of presence absence, or severity of comorbidities. They also recommend that surgery should be considered for individuals with a BMI of 30-34.9 who have metabolic disease and have not been able to achieve or maintain significant wight loss using conservative methods.