Rise in obese people opting for gastric surgery

The number of patients choosing gastric surgery in order to lose weight has risen dramatically, new figures reveal.

A whopping 41% average increase in the number of gastric bypasses performed on obese people was recorded in the UK in 2006-7.

These figures have prompted claims that the Government is not doing enough to prevent the spiralling obesity epidemic.

The most operations were performed in East Yorkshire, in the city of Hull - from 115 in 2005 to 207 in 2006 - a rise of 80%. Even bigger rises were seen in Manchester, Cambridge and Merseyside, with massive hikes of up to 177%.

Gastric bypasses are considered very risky and are usually performed on morbidly obese patients. The surgery drastically reduces the size of the stomach.

The shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “These figures reflect the cost of obesity. Gastric bypass surgery is a last-ditch solution and the number of operations will continue to rise sharply in the future unless we do a lot more to encourage people to be more active and eat more healthily.

“The Government is failing on reducing obesity, which is sadly unsurprising given that public health budgets have been cut.”

Source: The Independent