Weight-loss surgery quadruples among under-25s in three years - Daily Mail
- Gastric bands should be 'last resort', says spokesman for eating disorder charity
By Claire Bates
Last updated at 11:29 AM on 19th September 2011
The number of young adults undergoing weight-loss surgery on the NHS has quadrupled in just three years, new figures have revealed.
Between 2006 and 2007, 55 people aged under 25 were fitted with a gastric band, had their stomach stapled or underwent a gastric bypass.
However, between 2009 and 2010 the number of cases had risen to 210, including 34 teenagers as young as 15.
Corina Ellison, 20, had a gastric bypass six months ago and now regrets her decision
The figures were revealed in a BBC Newsbeat investigation.
A gastric band is used to treat people with potentially life-threatening obesity who have been unable to make lifestyle changes.
It is used to reduce the size of the stomach so a smaller amount of food is required to make a patient feel full.
Under NHS guidelines it could be given in 'exceptional circumstances' to obese girls as young as 13 and boys as young as 15.
However, it does not deal with any of the underlying psychological reasons that causes a person to pile on the pounds in the first place.
Mary George, a spokesman from the eating disorder charity Beat, told Mail Online, she was worried gastric surgery was being used as a quick fix.
'Gastric bands should really be a last resort,' she said.
'We are concerned that people under 25 are not getting the support they should have before and after having surgery.
'More psychological support is needed to help young adults deal with the issues around their eating problems.'
The number of young people being fitted with a gastric band, pictured, has risen sharply in the past two years
Corina Ellison, 20, who had a gastric bypass six months ago, is one such young adult who doesn't believe she has been given enough support to deal with the consequences.
'I wasn't prepared for a lot of things I'm going through now. I can't tolerate a lot of foods,' she told BBC's Newsbeat.
'It's been very emotional and I still binge eat and comfort eat.
'You really need to think about it because you will be taking medication for the rest of your life. You should only take the surgery if it's the last possible option to lose weight.'
A Department of Health report revealed where the highest proportion of fat adults and children live
The Department of Health said people are only given bariatric surgery after they are assessed by a doctor.
Obesity is a growing problem for Britain. Experts predict levels will nearly double in the next 20 years costing the NHS an extra £2bn a year.
The last child obesity figures from 2008 found one in six boys and one in seven girls were obese, while a similar proportion were overweight.
For more information on eating disorders including binge eating visit http://www.b-eat.co.uk/
19 Sep, 2011--
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFkImLpokOKbh9Dqx9f2ociXbZbNw&url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2039072/Gastric-bands-Weight-loss-surgery-quadruples-25s-years.html
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