What is BMI and how does it relate to weight loss surgery?

A person’s body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight in adults used to determine which patients are eligible to have weight loss surgery. Your doctor will determine your BMI, which tells you if you are normal weight, overweight, or obese. A BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese but generally a higher BMI is required to qualify for weight loss surgery.
You may qualify for weight loss surgery if your BMI is:
Above 40 or you are more than 100 pounds overweight, and you have not responded to diet, exercise, or weight loss medications.
Above 35 and you also have an obesity-related medical problem, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea or other respiratory disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, lipid abnormalities, or gastrointestinal disorders.
Above 30, but only if you have certain medical conditions.