Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, has been found to be an effective treatment for some obese people. However, it is only available on the NHS if your obesity is affecting your health and other treatment options have been tried and have not worked.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that weight loss surgery should only be offered on the NHS if all the following conditions apply:
- You have a BMI of 40 or more, or you have a BMI of 35-40 and a serious health condition that could be improved if you lose weight, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
- You have tried all the appropriate non-surgical methods, such as diet and exercise, but have failed to achieve or maintain a beneficial level of weight loss for at least six months.
- You agree to commit to long-term follow-up treatment after surgery at a specialised obesity service.
- You are fit and healthy enough to withstand the anaesthetic (painkilling medication) and surgery.
There may be slightly different criteria at your local primary care trust (PCT) that could affect your access to surgery. In most cases, you need to be referred for surgery by a specialist obesity management service (not just your GP).
For more information, including how the surgery works, how it is carried out and your recovery afterwards, read the Health A-Z pages on Weight loss surgery
