Health experts have warned of obesity’s “overwhelming” burden on the NHS as British Medical Journal (BMJ) figures show a ten fold rise in weightloss surgery.
The number of people in England turning to surgery to treat obesity has soared, according to the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Figures show that more than 2,500 people went under the knife in 2007, compared to only 238 in 2000.
The findings have triggered a fresh debate about the most effective way to help those struggling with their weight.
Peter Sedman, bariatric surgeon and spokesman for the Royal College of Surgeons, said: “The number of morbidly obese patients in the UK is increasing rapidly and we need to continue to put even more resources into what is proven to be a successful and cost-effective method of treatment.
“The burden on the NHS in years to come in obesity-related illness will otherwise be overwhelming.”
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) recommends surgery only for the morbidly obese. That means people with a body mass index of 40 or more, or 35 if there is another existing medical condition, could be considered for treatment.
Surgery binge
But there are concerns about the wider implications of using surgery more and more to deal with obesity. Some experts fear it will encourage people to turn their backs on exercise in favour of more drastic measures.
Richard Callender, a fitness guru on TV show The Biggest Loser, has told Channel 4 News more people are now looking for a quick fix after piling on the pounds.
“In the past I’ve had people mention getting a gastric band and these are people who aren’t even morbidly obese, they’re just overweight,” he said.
“What worries me is that by the time they get to morbidly obese they’ve been having that thought process for so long they’re just going to go for it.”
Health experts are keen to stress the decision to have surgery should not be taken lightly. Bariatric surgery includes gastric banding, which reduces the size of the stomach with a band. For a gastric bypass the small intestine is re-routed towards a small stomach pouch. A sleeve gastrectomy is when part of the stomach is removed.
Once the surgery is complete patients will often have to drastically change their diets. Mr Callender said that very point should make people think twice about going under the knife.
“You still have to make your portions smaller so you can do that without the gastric band,” he said.
“If you can control it with the gastric band then try and control it without the gastric band.”