Evidence Note 19: Surgery for Obesity (PDF, 220K, 32 secs) Background
Bariatric surgery is a branch of general surgery concerned with enabling obese patients to lose weight. It is usually employed only when other weight reduction methods have failed. Since the first operations in 1954, practice in this area has developed considerably, and various different procedures are available. These can be based upon a restrictive approach, in which the volume of the stomach is reduced, a malabsorptive approach, in which the amount of food absorbed into the body is limited, or by a technique which produces both restriction and altered absorption.
Currently the main procedure used in Scotland is laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.
Key points
-
Criteria for referral for bariatric surgery are commonly based upon a consensus statement developed in the USA in 1991.
-
Bariatric surgery can produce greater weight loss than conventional treatment for obese patients, and this effect is sustained at 10 years (one large cohort study).
-
Bariatric surgery results in significant reduction in long term mortality and improvement in co morbid conditions such as diabetes and sleep apnoea.
-
No research evidence is available on the effectiveness of pre and post operative support.
-
Approximately 13% of bariatric surgery patients experience complications. Thirty day mortality rates of between 0.25 and 1.9% have been reported.
-
One UK study suggests that bariatric surgery might be cost-effective.
Equality & Diversity
NHS QIS is committed to equality and diversity. This document, and the research on which it is based, have been assessed for any likely impact on the six equality groups defined by age, gender, race/ethnicity, religion/faith, disability and sexual orientation
