Does a person have to be severely obese in order to get
gastrointestinal surgery to lose weight?  I'm 5'3" and weigh about
180.  Would I qualify for the surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery is generally available only to the morbidly
obese, those who have a BMI over 40. Your BMI is slightly under 32,
which puts you in the "obese" category, but you are far from "morbidly
obese."

Ok, thank you.

If it's any encouragement, I am slightly under 5'3" tall, and in 1975
I weighed 180. By watching my diet, I've been able to keep my weight
under 120 for the past 25 years. There's no easy, painless way to get
(or stay) trim, but it can be done.

I'm just 5' and weigh 105 lbs..

I have no idea how to gain weight never mind lose it :(

Steph53

Thank you.  I'm doing Weight Watchers so I guess I'll have to just
keep working at it and eventually I'll reach my goal.  It's just not
easy!

It's not easy. But it's not impossible, either. Just keep in mind that
the real goal is not just to lose the excess weight, but to keep it
off. A healthy lifestyle is the key, not a fad diet. You're in good
hands with Weight Watchers.