I am 5'2 and approx 90% endomorph weighing in at 175. Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?

Question

I have dieted with a nutritionist for long periods of time, lifted heavy 6x a week on a progressive program and still stalled since my metabolism runs like molasses. I am over 33% for body fat if not more. I am very pear shaped, carrying weight heavily on my legs and rear.

Ali Solmaz, MD · Answer

At a height of 5'2" and a weight of 175 pounds, your body mass index (BMI) is approximately 32. This places you in the obesity class I category. While this BMI is below the typical threshold of 35 to 40 required for bariatric surgery, you may still be considered a candidate under certain circumstances, particularly if you have obesity-related health conditions or if your body composition and metabolic challenges significantly impact your quality of life.
Given that you report a body fat percentage over 33%, difficulty losing weight despite structured nutritional guidance and intensive resistance training, and a metabolic profile that appears to be highly resistant to conventional interventions, it is clear that your case is more complex than what BMI alone can capture. While body type and fat distribution, such as a pronounced pear shape, are not used as criteria for surgery, they can influence your metabolic function and health risks, particularly when weight is concentrated in the lower body and stubborn to mobilize.
Some bariatric programs consider metabolic surgery for individuals with a BMI between 30 and 35, especially when there is documented failure of medically supervised weight loss efforts and clear signs of metabolic dysfunction. Procedures like the gastric sleeve or even endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), a less invasive alternative, may be discussed in such cases. However, eligibility would ultimately depend on a comprehensive evaluation, including your metabolic markers, hormonal profile, psychological readiness, and long-term health goals.

Pablo Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello and happy new year!Obesity is a multifactorial disease, it means that is cause by different causes like low methabolism, low activity or eating more that you need or eating junk food or sweets...what you can do is that you could fight with all the tools that you have. Bariatric surgery is another tool, the solution is to identify what´s wrong and chage.Your BMI is 32, today we have a lot of evidence about the benefits of bariatric surgey in lower BMI, i can told you that too for our practice experience but with my testimonie too, i had sleeved 1.6 years ago and was one of the best desicion that i ever took.Blessings....

Michael F. Sedrak, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Your current BMI is 32 kg/m2, but you did not mention if you had any success with your diet and exercise program? It would also be very important to rule out any reversible causes for obesity. Having said that, insurance companies generally do not cover Bariatric surgery until BMI is 35 and with a weight related comorbid condition. You certainly could have a weight loss procedure, but your costs would be out of pocket and not covered by insurance

I am 5'2 and approx 90% endomorph weighing in at 175. Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?

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I am 5'2 and approx 90% endomorph weighing in at 175. Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.