Gastric banding

·         Obesity is a major risk for not just diabetes and heart disease but many others. WHO says obesity is 2^nd only to smoking as cause of cancer

·         Loosing weight is not easy but very important. The more overweight a person is the greater the resistance to the actions of insulin.

·         Surgery for weight loss is called bariatric surgery. Not to be seen as an easy option. It is approved by NICE under certain conditions.

NICE recommends:

• this type of surgery should be considered only for people who have been receiving intensive management in a specialised hospital obesity clinic
• individuals should be aged 18 years or over
• there should be evidence that all appropriate and available non-surgical measures have been adequately tried but have failed to maintain weight loss
• there should be no specific clinical or psychological contra-indications to this type of surgery
• individuals should be generally fit for anaesthesia and surgery
• individuals should understand the need for long-term follow-up.

Surgery should normally be reserved for those with a BMI of 40 or more but NICE accepts that it may be offered to those with a BMI in excess of 35 if they have associated morbidities that may benefit from weight reduction.

·         Gastric banding involves placing a band around the stomach so that it is unable to expand so far. This means that there is a feeling of fullness with rather less food in the stomach.

·         The number of operations done in the UK each year is rising.

·         Laparoscopic techniques are being used more often

·         The risk of surgery in people who are substantially overweight is much higher than in those of normal weight

This form of surgery should not be seen as a “magic bullet” to lose weight but in people who are severely overweight and who struggle with appetite, it has a place. Continued attention to weight with diet and exercise is a life-long process.

Dr Tony Woolfson MB BS DM MRCP(UK)
Learn how to master your diabetes.  Visit my website at www.diabetesdietdoctor.com.