Gastric Sleeve or Liposuction? 30 BMI

Question

is it possible or recommended to have gastric sleeve for my BMI 30.3? I am 5 ft 6 inches and currently weigh around 194. My weight fluctuate between 185-210 but stuck on 195lbs for the past 4 years. I am 42, I can’t seem to get down to 140lbs that I would desire to be, I am done having children so am looking for medical weight loss help, I have had liposuction December 2018. Any advice would be appreciated. I am in good health and do not have any medical conditions other than overweight

Gabriela Rodriguez, MD, FACS · Answer

You should consult with a bariatric surgeon to explore the options. Although BMI is the main parameters to consider for bariatric surgery , there are other factors to take in consideration, like your body composition, recent studies have shown that a men with more than 20% of body fat or a women with more than 30% with normal weight have a high degree of metabolic imbalance they are still at high risk of developing metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, cardiometabolic disorders etc. with a higher risk or mortality. So each case has to be asses individually.

Ali Solmaz, MD · Answer

With a BMI of 30.3, you fall within the obese category (class 1), and while gastric sleeve surgery is typically recommended for individuals with a BMI of 35 or higher&mdash;or for those with a BMI between 30 and 34.9 who have weight-related health conditions&mdash;it can sometimes be considered for individuals in your situation. Since you are healthy overall, do not have comorbidities, and have struggled to lose weight despite significant efforts, it may be worth discussing this option with a bariatric specialist.
Your history of fluctuating weight and difficulty maintaining long-term loss despite undergoing liposuction suggests that traditional weight-loss methods may not be effective enough for you. Gastric sleeve surgery could be an appropriate intervention to help you achieve and maintain a healthier weight, especially if you have explored and exhausted non-surgical methods such as medically supervised diet plans, weight-loss medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro), or structured behavioral therapy for weight management.
It is important to understand that while the surgery can lead to substantial weight loss, the expected reduction at your current BMI may not be as dramatic as it would be for someone with a higher BMI. On average, individuals undergoing gastric sleeve surgery lose approximately 60–70% of their excess weight. For you, this would bring you closer to your desired weight of 140 lbs but would also require a strong commitment to post-surgical lifestyle changes, including dietary modifications, regular exercise, and nutritional supplementation to avoid potential deficiencies.
Before proceeding, a consultation with a bariatric surgeon is essential to determine your eligibility for the procedure. They will evaluate your medical history, discuss potential risks and benefits, and help you understand the outcomes specific to your case. Additionally, a thorough psychological and nutritional evaluation is often required as part of the process to ensure you are prepared for the long-term changes that come with bariatric surgery.
If you are open to exploring non-surgical alternatives, medications for weight loss or a comprehensive medical weight management program may provide significant results without the need for an invasive procedure. A consultation with a physician specializing in obesity medicine would be beneficial in this regard.
Ultimately, while gastric sleeve surgery could be an option for you, it is essential to carefully weigh the risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare provider to determine the most effective and sustainable approach for your weight-loss journey.

Gian Contreras, MD · Answer

We recommend the gastric sleeve first, and after six months, get an evaluation for a liposuction. It’s the best choice

Ariel Ortiz, MD, FACS · Answer

Of course I would recommend you on getting a VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy), once you get your VSG you will start losing body fat constantly, this will affect your overall body's composition by reducing your body size. Your previous lipo body shape is going to be hard to achieve, basically, it's going to depend on your natural body fat distribution, so I would recommend getting your VSG first and then reconsider having any other plastic surgery. The sleeve gastrectomy has shown to be a very effective metabolic procedure in obesity remission, helping you to achieve a healthier lifestyle.. - AL

Abdullah Sisik, MD · Answer

For quality results, we recommend that you first lose weight with Gastric Balloon. When you reach your target weight, you can choose body shaping with liposuction.

Hasan Erdem, MD · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question!Gastric sleeve surgeries are performed after 35 BMI. We can suggest you gastric balloon or stomach botox.
Best wishesDr.HE

Pablo Garcia, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi, Thanks for your questions, first of all we have to identify that we are doing that is not letting you loose weight. Bariatric surgery is a treatment to combat obesity while liposuction seeks to reshape the silhouette. If you have calculated your BMI and it has been higher than 35, it is very likely that the ideal intervention for you is stomach reduction if neither diet nor sports have been able to make you lose excess weight. Second, when the overweight has been lost, liposuction can be performed to remove stubborn fat from desired body parts. Hope this was helpful.

Mark Pleatman, MD (retired) · Answer

Liposuction is only helpful for spot fat removal; not as a weight loss operation.  Some surgeons offer sleeve gastrectomy, but it is not "medically necessary."  My lower limit for offering surgery is BMI of 30; so I would be willing to do it for you, but at the same time advise against it!

Sepehr Lalezari, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

You would not qualify for the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with a BMI under 35. Unfortunately, liposuction is not a weight loss option. You may be a good candidate for a procedural weight loss option - the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. If you are looking for a good weight loss option with a BMI under 35 the endoscopic sleeve gastroplastic is a great choice.

Michael F. Sedrak, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Yes it is possible to have gastric sleeve surgery with a BMI of 30, and this will be beneficial fir long term health as weight is lost. You will be responsible for the costs of surfer because insurance will not cover the costs for low BMI weight loss surgery

Gastric Sleeve or Liposuction? 30 BMI

Answers (10)

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