20th February 2024

Surgical therapies

Bariatric surgery is usually considered in patients who have fulfilled all the following criteria. 

• BMI of ≥40 kg/m2 or BMI between 35-40 kg/m2 with significant co-morbidities ( hypertension, type 2 diabetes, mobility problems, sleep apnoea, GORD) that will improve with weight loss.
• All appropriate non-surgical methods have been attempted without beneficial weight loss.
• Willing to receive intensive management at a specialist obesity centre.
• Fit for anaesthesia and surgery.
• Committed towards long-term follow-up.
• Exceptions towards the criteria above include:
• Patients with a BMI ≥50kg/m2 where other interventions have not been successful.
• Patients with a recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
• A BMI between 30 and 34.9 kg/m2 can be considered for assessment for bariatric surgery if they are willing to receive input from a specialist obesity centre.
• BMI ≥35kg/m2 can be offered an expedited assessment for bariatric surgery if they are willing to receive input from a specialist obesity centre.

Common bariatric procedures include sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y bypass, gastric banding and intragastric balloon. Candidates are only expected to know the indication for consideration of bariatric surgery rather than for each procedure.