Weight loss surgery includes gastric band surgery and bariatric surgery. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends eligibility criteria that clearly excludes certain people from weight loss surgery. The reason for exclusion is to ensure that severely obese people, at risk of having their lifespan cut short due to associated health conditions linked to their obesity, receive the appropriate treatment that they need. And that those not obese, not able to demonstrate clinical evidence of consistently trying non-surgical treatments to lose weight, and not committed to a major lifestyle and psychological change, are not placed at risk by a weight loss surgery inappropriate for their needs.
Scottish Study of health impacts from weight loss surgery
Scottish researchers have unveiled a new study to determine the impacts of weight loss surgery as offered on www.gastricbands.co.uk on a person’s health over a term of ten years. While the NICE eligibility criteria looks at:
ñobesity Body Mass Index (BMI)
ñassociated health conditions
ñclinical evidence of historic unsuccessful non-surgical weigh loss treatments
ñcommitment to lifestyle and dietary management changes
ñand potential psychological response to weight loss surgery
Researchers from Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre intend to focus on the clinical outcomes of weight loss surgery that include obesity-related illness, post-surgery complications, mental health and quality of life.
The study is funded by National Institute of Health Research and British Heart Foundation and will involve recruiting suitable candidates over a five year period. It is envisaged that approximately 2,000 patients will participate. Currently, approximately 500 weight loss procedures are implemented in Scotland by a combination of NHS and private care clinicians. The study looking will link into the NHS IT infrastructure to monitor results and death rates and causes of participants. Findings of such research is anticipated to be of benefit in the United Kingdom and internationally.
The Glasgow study in weight loss surgery follows on US studies where a review of data collated over several years through the US Department of Health suggests that weight loss surgery produces favourable results in obese people aged 18 and above. The research conducted in Scotland will provide greater insight into the weight loss surgery results and effects on longevity.