Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery is an effective treatment option for people living with obesity and weight-related illnesses, such as Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnoea.
Our department comprises of a highly specialised multidisciplinary team of surgeons, anaesthetists, physicians, nurses, dietitians, and psychologists who will support people through all aspects of their weight-loss journey.
We pride ourselves on being a specialist tertiary referral centre for complex obesity and are able to offer primary weight-loss surgery, which is performed via a minimal access approach, either laparoscopically or robotically, as well as revisional surgery.
We offer a range of treatments/surgeries within our department and these will be discussed with you in detail during your ‘one-stop’ clinic review. All of our surgery is performed laparoscopically (keyhole) or robotically through up to six small incisions under general anaesthetic and will generally require 1 – 2 nights in hospital. The most common operations that we offer are:
- Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
- Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB)
- Laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB)
- Laparoscopic Gastric Band
Revisional surgery is subject to strict commissioning guidance, which can be reviewed in detail on the NHS England Website.
Meet the team
| Surgeons |
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| Bariatric Specialist Nurses |
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| Consultant |
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| Anaesthetists |
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| Specialist Dieticians |
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| Psychologist |
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| Department Secretaries |
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Your GP can refer you for specialist multidisciplinary management of obesity if you meet the following criteria (Recommendations | Obesity: identification, assessment and management | Guidance | NICE):
- You have a body mass index (BMI) 0f 40 kg/m2 or more, or between 35 and 40 kg/m2 if you also have an associated obesity-related condition (for example, type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure) that will be improved through weight loss. You can also be considered for surgery if you have a BMI of 30 – 34.9 kg/m2 and have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes;
- All appropriate non-surgical measures have been tried but you are unable to achieve or maintain adequate, clinically beneficial weight loss;
- You are fit for anaesthesia and surgery;
- You are able to commit to long-term follow-up.
You will first be referred to a specialist weight management service, known as Tier 3, where you will receive support from a specialist team to help you lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle. This programme will last for approximately six months and will include nutrition and dietary support, specialist psychological therapy, physical activity sessions and support from medical professionals, including introduction of new medical therapies if required. Depending on your geographical area you may be referred to one of the following services:
- “The Weigh Ahead” - The Weigh Ahead (spirehealthcare.com)
- “Feeling Good” - E-mail: adminsmc
@nhs.net . - “Integrated Complex Obesity Service (ICOS)” - Nutrition and Dietetics (porthosp.nhs.uk)
Once you have completed this programme you can then be referred onwards to our department (also referred to as Tier 4) for consideration of bariatric surgery. Your first visit to us will be via our multidisciplinary ‘one-stop’ clinic where you will be reviewed by a consultant surgeon, an anaesthetist, a bariatric specialist nurse and dietitian. You may also receive input from a psychologist, a consultant endocrinologist, or any number of specialists within Queen Alexandra Hospital in order to evaluate you and get you ready for any proposed surgical treatments.
NHS Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery - Types - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society
BOMSS – British Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society
Obesity Empowerment Network
Obesity Empowerment Network – ‘Nothing about us without us’ (oen.org.uk)
British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS) Statement on going abroad for Weight-Loss Surgery:
We understand that accessing bariatric (weight loss) surgery on the NHS can be a frustrating experience and BOMSS is working hard to improve this situation. One consequence of the current lack of NHS provision of this treatment is that people decide to self-fund their care, either in the UK or abroad. BOMSS strongly advises UK residents to be cautious when considering bariatric surgery abroad.
Care in the UK is tightly regulated with all providers regularly monitored and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Surgical outcomes are reported on a national bariatric database, UK bariatric surgeons, have completed recognised training and certification, and have full professional insurance so that patients can receive financial compensation in the very unlikely event of serious complications arising from clinical negligence. These processes are designed to ensure high standards of care and to protect patients undergoing surgery. Read the statement here.
