A study of over 7,045 weight loss surgery patients has now been completed in the UK and shows that type 2 diabetes halved and other obesity-related conditions such as blood pressure also improved.
Patients lost over half their excess weight in the first year and everyday activities were improved too.
Researchers calculated that approximately 1 million Brits would benefit from weight loss surgery such as the gastric band, yet the NHS is reaching less than 1% of those, with just over 7,000 procedures in 2009.
For the other 99%, the choice is stark. Where diet and exercise have failed and the NHS is unable to assist, then private surgery remains the last resort.
However, the good news is that it is not as expensive as many people think.
Competitive surgery providers such as Why Go Abroad offer gastric band in the UK from just £5,450.
A spokesperson for the Company said: “Cost is a major consideration, but it is important not to compromise on something as important as surgery, especially when the results can be so life-changing. Our gastric band patients have lost many stones of excess weight, improving their health dramatically as well as their body-shape.
We use top UK hospitals and GMC registered bariatric surgeons and also include 6 months of aftercare.
Taking into account the costs of flights, hotels and the higher risks involved, our prices compare very favourably to those on the continent.”
