Can I Get Gastric Band Surgery if my BMI is Normal?

Lap-Band surgery is designed to lead to safe and sustained weight loss for individuals who are overweight or obese.

 

If someone has a BMI within the normal range it is unlikely that there would be much benefit derived from the procedure. Although Lap-Band surgery is a very safe procedure, it would only be advised if there was benefit to be obtained.

 

It is unlikely that someone with a BMI in the normal range would achieve substantial weight loss, nor would that necessarily be desirable. Therefore, the Lap-Band is not approved for use (in Canada) unless the BMI is greater than 30 with health issues related to the weight (co-morbidities) or all individuals with BMI greater than 35.

To qualify for a Lap-Band you need a BMI of at least 35 with medical problems or a BMI of 40 with no medical problems.  We are hoping that the FDA will approve the Lap-Band for BMI 30 - 35 early next year.

Patients with a BMI less than 32 are typically discouraged to have lap band surgery since there has not been any proven benefit and there are risks associated with this surgery. In this case the risk / benefit ratio is high. In this case, say a patient with a BMI less than 30, continue to focus on portion control, avoid carbohydrated past 8 pm, focus or cardio to maintain a 60 percent of maximal heart rate for 30 to 40 minutes (cardio to be done 3 to 4 times per week). This will help increase your metabolism and curb your weight gain.

If someone asked me for a Lap Band and their BMI was in the normal range, specifically from 19 to 25, I would pause, and find out the situation for why they wanted that Lap Band. If they've been someone who has been a normal weight their entire life and they want to become even more skinny, the answer would be no from me as a surgeon. You probably could go out and find a surgeon who would put it in, because it's a very low risk surgery. Someone who has a normal BMI has the right to go out and get a breast augmentation or a nose job and those surgeries carry risks sort of equivalent to the placement of an adjustable gastric band. 
However if you're someone who struggled with weight for a long time, yo-yos back and forth and has been able to lose a significant amount of weight and the motivating factor for getting the band is the fear of regaining that weight and getting back to where you were, in that instance I think it's reasonable to put it back as long as you appreciate the risks. 

Although the gastric band is a very safe procedure there are risks associated with any surgery. The goal of weight loss surgery is to prevent or decrease health issues related to obesity. With a person of a higher BMI the health benefits of weight loss outweigh the risk of the surgery. With a person of a healthy weight such as yourself, the risk of the surgery is greater than the benefit.