BMI Calculator

What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the most accurate ways to determine when extra pounds translate into health risks. BMI is a measure which takes into account a person's weight and height to gauge total body fat in adults. BMI is expressed in a numeric value. In June 1998, the federal government announced guidelines which create a new definition of a healthy weight -- a BMI of 24 or less. So now a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. Individuals who fall into the BMI range of 25 to 34.9, and have a waist size of over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women, are considered to be at especially high risk for health problems. Depending on your value it may place you at a higher risk for developing certain medical conditions. The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of developing additional health problems. (Heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure are all linked to being overweight.) However Body mass index can also be combined with the Waist circumference of the person for a more accurate health risk.

What is waist circumference?

According to the National Institutes of Health, a high Waist Circumference (WC) is associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and cardiovascular disease when the BMI is between 25 and 34.9. (A BMI greater than 25 is considered overweight and a BMI greater than 30 is considered obese.) WC can be useful for those people categorized as normal or overweight in terms of BMI. (For example, an athlete with increased muscle mass may have a BMI greater than 25 - making him or her overweight on the BMI scale - but a WC measurement would most likely indicate that he or she is, in fact, not overweight). Changes in WC over time can indicated an increase or decrease in abdominal fat. Increased abdominal fat is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

To determine your WC, locate the upper hip bone and place a measuring tape around the abdomen (ensuring that the tape measure is horizontal). The tape measure should be snug but should not cause compressions on the skin. The following chart should be helpful in determining the possible risks associated with your BMI and WC.

Overall health risk and obesity class.

See your BMI and measure your waist line then see chart below to find out your risk for developing systemic disease and find out your category type.

What is your particular BMI?

Please click here to see what BMI number you are.

What precautions do you need to take for your surgery based on your BMI?

Safety is the most important factor in our practice, so any female with a BMI of 33 or greater can be done very safely, however it needs to be done in the hospital.

In normal weight, overweight patients and in patients with a BMI of 32 or less:

1. This can be done safely as an out patient surgery in our surgical center.
2. You will need someone at home to help you for the first few days (husband, children, friend).
3. If traveling from out of town we would like you to stay for one week, if possible.
4. During surgery we place a special compression device for the lower extremities to help prevent blood clots from forming.

In Obese Type II:

1. It will require between 2-3 nights stay over in a hospital.
2. It usually will not require blood transfusion unless liposuction is done at the same time and we are removing more than 6 liters of fat. In this case, you can donate your own blood 2 weeks before surgery, or we can have your blood type available in the hospital.
3. During surgery we place a special compression device for the lower extremities to help prevent blood clots from forming.

In Obese Type III:

1. It will require a full medical work up including:
   1. Heart Echocardiogram;
   2. Pulmonary function test
   3. Doppler of lower extremities to make sure no blood clots exist in the lower legs
   4. Medical clearance
2. During and after surgery, we would place a special compression device for the lower extremity to help prevent blood clots from forming. Sometimes we use a special anti-clotting medicine as well.
3. We may use a special ointment cream on the abdomen to help with the circulation to the skin since this may aid in preventing wound healing problems. If used it would be started a few days prior to surgery and continued after.
4. It will require 3-5 nights in the hospital
5. You more than likely will require a blood transfusion so either donate your own blood 2 weeks before or we can arrange for the hospital to have your blood type available if needed. This will only be given if necessary.
6. If traveling from out of town arrange to be here from 2 -3 weeks.