What is a realistic upper BMI where surgeons will agree to do bariatric surgery?

Question

I understand most surgeons do not perform bariatric surgery on patients whose BMI is too high due to increased complication risks / medical equipment weight limits etc. For a 5'10", 47 year old male, who does not have any other major health issues other than obesity, what would a realistic upper limit of BMI be for a surgeon to perform bariatric surgery?

Sandy Martinez, MD · Answer

Hello. I will be very direct because this is a topic I am deeply passionate about. Many surgeons turn away patients with high BMIs, but my medical philosophy is the exact opposite: The higher your BMI, the more urgently you need life-saving bariatric surgery.
I have dedicated my career to helping patients with extreme BMIs who were rejected elsewhere. I routinely operate on patients with BMIs over 70 and 80. On my clinic's YouTube channel, you can see patients who started with a BMI of 93, and my highest recorded successful case was a 103 BMI in 2024.
When a surgeon tells you your BMI is "too high," it is rarely because the surgery is medically impossible. It is almost always because their facility lacks the specialized infrastructure (heavy-duty tables, extra-long instruments) and their team lacks the high-volume experience required to safely manage super obesity.
At 5'10", 47 years old, and otherwise healthy, you are absolutely a candidate in the hands of the right team. Do not accept "no" from a standard hospital. Seek out a high-volume bariatric center equipped for extreme BMIs. You deserve to get your life back!
Warmly,
Dr. Sandy MartinezBoard-Certified Bariatric Surgeon

What is a realistic upper BMI where surgeons will agree to do bariatric surgery?

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