Obesity - Surgery 

Surgery for obesity 

Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, is used as a last resort to treat people who are dangerously obese (carrying an abnormally excessive amount of body fat).

This type of surgery is only available on the NHS to treat people with potentially life-threatening obesity that will not respond to non-surgical treatments, such as lifestyle changes.

Potentially life-threatening obesity is defined as:

  • having a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
  • having a BMI of 35 or above and having another serious health condition that could be improved if you lose weight, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure

Read more about weight loss surgery.

Last reviewed: 05/03/2012

Next review due: 05/03/2014

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bengaliqueen said on 13 March 2013

I have high blood pressure and I have type 2 diabetes, I applied for a gastric by pass but I was rejected despite ,I lost both of my parents at the age of 48 and 50, both had diabetes, heart attack. I am over weight I have tried everything diets, aqua berry, atkins diet, pills you name it. nothing worked on me, so the last result was this gastric by pass, my friend had it done and now looks really good. So was a bit gutted when I was rejected, saying no funding, but people with less problem then me had their operation because they where based in redbridge area, My doctor is based in leyton as I live in redbridge but the the dr in leyton been a family dr for years and I have been advised to change and come to redbridge so I can get the operation done. why should I change my dr to have this done. By see my condition I should have been selected. I want to live and not die early like my parents. I am trying so much but the nhs have failed me.

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