Indications for Bariatric Surgery To qualify for bariatric surgery, patients should Have a body mass index (BMI) of > 40 kg / m 2 or a BMI > 35 kg / m 2 plus a serious complication (eg, diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, high-risk lipid profile) Have acceptable operative risk Be well-informed and motivated Have unsuccessfully tried all reasonable nonsurgical methods to lose weight and manage obesity-associated complications Bariatric surgery should also be considered for patients with a BMI of 30 to 34.9 with type 2 diabetes who have inadequate glycemic control despite optimal lifestyle and medical therapy (1).