It is possible to get weight loss surgery on the NHS but it is quickly becoming a postcode lottery as to where the treatment is available.

Despite National Institute for Clinical Exellence (NICE) guidelines that recommends weight loss (bariatric) surgery should be made available for patients, it is not available in all areas.

Weight loss surgery is still seen as a bit of a grey area and some PCT’s do not see that surgery to treat obesity as a priority above other contractual agreements with the NHS Trust.

Funding might in some cases be only available if the patient is morbidly obese with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of above 50. Or if you have additional health problems such as Diabetes, Arthritis or high blood pressure, these are just a few of chronic diseases that are attributed to obesity.

It is worth discussing with your GP what funding is available in your area. You may have to prove your suitability to be considered for weight loss surgery by following a structured weight management programme before you are considered to be referred to a Surgeon.

In some instances it might be useful to contact your local PCT directly to enquire about the referral criteria, if there is funding available and whether there are local treatment facilities in place or whether you could be referred to a bariatric service in another area where a multi-disciplinary team has been established.

Whatever is available there is often a lengthy wait which can be fraught with disappointment before you even get to see a surgeon.

http://www.bospa.org is a patient focused organisation dedicated to helping empower obese and morbidly obese source the appropriate treatment.

For further information about weight loss surgery on the NHS or other weight management programmes contact Vita Clinics on 0800 849 4050 or go on-line and complete our enquiry form here.