NHS does 19 obesity ops a day
SURGERY to help the morbidly obese lose weight is on the rise again with an average of 19 operations every day.
Figures obtained by the Mirror show there were 6,876 NHS bariatric procedures in 2016-17 – an increase of 14% in two years.
But experts say the ops are good value in the long run, saving money on treating associated illnesses like type 2 diabetes.
Neil Mortensen, of the Royal College of Surgeons, said: “The evidence is clear, bariatric surgery is highly effective in helping to treat obesity and the long-term effects associated with it.” A gastric bypass, where the stomach is split to reduce its capacity, costs up to £15,000 and a gastric band about £10,000. The number of weight-loss ops peaked at 8,794 in 2011-12. They were then rationed due to Tory cuts, but there has been a steady rise since 2014-15 when there were 6,032. Strict rules mean only morbidly obese patients are eligible for the surgery. But Mr Mortensen warned this has the unwanted effect of “encouraging patients to gain weight” to qualify. NHS England said: “Obesity surgery is on the rise, but that’s no substitute for taking tough action to cut obesity in the first place.”