Observations
Call for guidelines following bariatric procedures
Survey shows nearly half support NHS funding for body contouring
The British Association for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) is calling for national guidelines to be drawn up on reconstructive body contouring surgery following bariatric weight loss procedures.
With a growing obesity epidemic in the UK, the number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery is increasing rapidly. Under NICE criteria, about 1.5 million British adults are eligible for these procedures.
On average, gastric band patients will lose 50-60 per cent of their excess weight and gastric bypass patients will
lose 70 per cent. Many of these patients experience massive weight loss and develop medical problems caused by excess skin. These problems can be dealt with by body contouring surgery.
However, there are no guidelines on the provision for this type of surgery and NHS funding is limited.
A recent survey of 1,000 GPs in November shows that 45 per cent support NHS funding for body contouring surgery.
A pilot study by Mark Soldin, a BAPRAS consultant plastic surgeon at Kingston and St Georges University Teaching Hospitals, has found significant improvements in patients’ physical and emotional well-being once they have undergone body contouring surgery following massive weight loss.
“We know that excess skin following massive weight loss can lead to significant on-going problems including soreness, recurrent infections, functional problems, depression, difficulty with sexual function and poor body image,” says Mr Soldin.
Initial findings from the study’s research shows significant physical and emotional benefits to patients, who go on to lead a far more physically active and healthy life.
“With the growing incidence of bariatric surgery in the UK, it is essential that the aftercare for patients be given greater thought,” says Mr Soldin.
