↑ Grab this Headline Animator

BMI Healthcare Launches Weight Loss Surgery Service

Over 1.2 million people in the UK are morbidly obese. Many do not have access to, or are unaware of their eligibility for weight loss surgery. Only 4,341 weight loss operations were carried out in the UK last year, representing just 0.3% of those who could be eligible. This is double the number of procedures carried out in 2004, but still leaves many thousands of people without access to this form of treatment. People who remain obese have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure that can lead to cardiovascular disease and stroke. Today, BMI Healthcare, the UK's8217;s leading private hospital group, is launching a comprehensive weight loss surgery service to make surgery an accessible choice to the many thousands of people who are eligible across the country.



BMI Healthcare offers a full package that includes a free detailed assessment for eligibility and substantial post-operative care from leading surgeons, highly trained professional nursing staff and dieticians. The surgery is only the start and support is available for months and if necessary years after. At BMI Healthcare hospitals, each procedure is carried out in accordance with National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines by one of the country's8217;s leading surgeons.



Weight loss surgery specialist, Mr Ackroyd, Consultant General Surgeon at BMI Thornbury Hospital said: 's8220;I regularly see how life-changing, and in some cases, life-saving this operation can be. I work as part of a multidisciplinary team, including a specialist dietician, specialist nurse practitioner and two specialist anaesthetists. My nurse practitioner and dietician also run a patient support group, where potential patients can meet and talk to others who have had surgery for their obesity and help them to decide whether it is right for them. Those who have tried everything else, do not realise that surgery is an option. Now it should be more accessible and readily available to those who wish to pursue it.'s8221;



Weight loss surgery patient Liz Keens said: 's8220;I had a lap band at BMI, The Shelburne Hospital, High Wycombe in June 2005. I's8217;ve lost four stone and find that my life has changed dramatically. Though I's8217;ve still got more weight to lose, I's8217;m more actively playing tennis, skiing and able to work harder. The regular follow-ups with my consultant and dietician were excellent and really kept me on-track, helping me to stay healthy whilst I lost weight.'s8221;



Jo Le Couilliard, Managing Director Products and Services, BMI Healthcare states: 's8220;We see this service as a real option and a positive solution for the individual. Surgery is only the beginning. Our patients will be given regular and individual support from their consultant, dietician and patient support groups. We want to reassure our patients that we are here to help for as long as it takes. More recently, some of our hospitals have seen patients who have returned from surgery abroad without appropriate aftercare, who then need lap band adjustments and in some instances a review with a consultant. Our inclusive pre and post-operative care is designed to ensure the best possible outcome for our patients.'s8221;



Janet Edmond, Director, British Obesity Surgery Patient Association (BOSPA) stated: 's8220;Regular follow-up care, delivered by a multidisciplinary team is the cornerstone to successful treatment of morbid obesity with weight loss surgery. Unfortunately, many patients who are desperate to seek a solution to their obesity focus on the operation itself. Surgery is not a quick-fix solution, but with good professional support and a patient willing to work well with this tool, steady weight loss should ensue over a two-year period following surgery. BOSPA welcomes this BMI Healthcare service that recognises the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to follow-up, especially the role of the dietician who can help patients to adjust their food choices and most importantly, adapt to the new eating behaviours that will ensure successful outcomes of this treatment.'s8221;    




On 2nd May, BMI Healthcare will open a national enquiry centre available to all those that are considering surgery or wish to find out more information. Tel: 0800 051 5031, or visit www.bmiweightloss.co.uk



Notes to Editor:

For all Press Office enquiries including interviews with consultants, patients, tours of local BMI Healthcare hospitals or further information, please contact: Felicity Knights Tel: 023 8021 5382 or out of hours Tel: 07786 332 966



> BMI Healthcare is the UK's8217;s largest provider of private hospitals handling over 250,000 inpatient and 750,000 outpatient visits each year. BMI offers experienced consultant surgeons, high standards of care and outstanding clinical resources across the 49 hospital network.

> BMI Healthcare hospitals are inspected and regulated by the Healthcare Commission.

> According to The Obesity Awareness & Solutions Trust, obesity has increased by 400% in the last 25 years, and if left unchecked and current trends prevail, this will equate to 38% of men and 34% of women being clinically obese by 2020.

> BMI Healthcare has adopted the strict criteria set by UK government's8217;s health advisory body, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) on selection of patients who are likely to most benefit from surgery. They recommend that obesity surgery patients must have a Body Mass Index of over 40, or Body Mass Index of over 35 and a disease related to their weight.

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

---

This article has been robotically scanned and tagged by Prnewsnow with the following search tags. No human manipulation of these tags take place.
| Marketing | World Marketing | direct marketing company |

---

4890 readers online...

, Local News