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Preparing for bariatric surgery

In order for hospitals to provide safe care, some patients may require specialised equipment or facilities based on their body dimensions.

If you weigh 120kg or more, or have a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40, you will be asked to measure your abdominal width before surgery. This is to ensure we can offer the appropriate facilities for your care.

How to measure your abdominal width

Diagram of male figure with line drawn across hip bones

 

To measure your abdominal width, you must measure from hip bone to hip bone (see above).

  1. Lie flat and mark where your hips are so you can easily measure when you stand up.
  2. Stand up and measure the distance between the marks.

Remember to measure from one hip bone to the other (not the whole way around your abdomen).

If your abdominal width measurement is equal to or greater than 68cm, please notify your surgeon to ensure the hospital has appropriate equipment for your care.

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