Surgery a safe and value-for-money option for overweight patients

New research has shown that bariatric surgery for overweight patients is an effective and value-for-money option.

It helps to tackle a wide range of diseases, including type 2 diabetes, the research showed, but many NHS trusts are reluctant to commission surgery, preferring lifestyle and drug-based treatments.

The first large-scale study, the National Bariatric Surgery Registry (NBSR) found that the procedures were safe and on average patients lost 58% of excess weight in their first year after surgery. There was also improvement on all associated diseases.

Bariatric surgeon Alberic Fiennes, who chairs the NBSR data committee, said: “This data shows that not only is UK bariatric surgery safe, but it successfully treats a whole range of diseases – including the rapid resolution of diabetes – yet commissioners continue to ignore the facts. An approach that limits treatment to a fraction of those who would benefit is one which the NHS will rue in years to come as these patients become an unsustainable burden on the health service.”

But David Stout, the NHS Confederation PCT Network director, said: “The most cost effective solution is to make sure that people do not get to the stage of needing surgery in the first place.”

“PCTs need to balance their priorities across a wide range of services, taking into account NICE guidance in the context of local needs. But it is important that all commissioners are transparent in their decision-making.”

John Black, president of the Royal College of Surgeons, said bariatric surgery “makes economic as well as clinical sense”.