More gastric band operations in bid to tackle obesity

THE number of obese patients undergoing gastric band surgery to lose weight is set to double in the Lothians as surgeons build on the success of their first operations.

The procedure was only introduced by NHS Lothian towards the end of last year as a last resort for people whose compulsive overeating and excessive weight was damaging their health.

The bands are only given to people who have repeatedly tried and failed to diet and are in danger of organ failure – an average height male patient would weigh more than 25 stone before going under the knife.

Health chiefs say the first ten pioneering procedures have been hugely successfully with patients losing a lot of weight and psychologically coping well with not being able to eat as much.

NHS Lothian now plans to increase the number of gastric bands inserted into people with chronic weight problems to 50 a year.

Just ten operations were carried out in 2007-2008, when they were first introduced through the NHS in the Lothians, increasing to 20 in the current year, 2008-2009.

Dietician Fiona Steven said: "Since the operations were carried out, everyone seems to be much happier and healthier.

"They have lower blood pressure and the diabetic patients have been able to reduce the amounts of medication they are taking. Another patient has reported that his knees no longer hurt."

The surgery involves a gastric band being installed inside the patient's stomach, leaving less room for food, and making the patient feel fuller sooner.

The success is dependent on the patient committing to a new, healthier lifestyle after the procedure, eating less and exercising more.

So, while the operation does give the patient a helping hand it will not work in the long term if the patient is not fully committed.

All potential patients are carefully vetted and are only put forward for the procedure if they are so obese they are harming their own health, and if doctors can be sure they will be able to cope psychologically.

Chris Oliver, a specialist trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at the ERI, who had the procedure done privately before it was available through NHS Lothian, said: I know some of the people who have had the operation and they seem to have done pretty well.

This is only suitable for a small select group of patients, but it is a way for them to get a lot healthier."

Jackie Sansbury, director of strategic planning and modernisation, said: "The surgery will not be offered as an easy solution to weight loss and will only be offered as a last resort to people who have exhausted all other options."

• www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk