Third hospital set to offer surgery for obese

Services such as gastric bypasses or gastric band fittings are offered in both Sheffield and Doncaster, but there are also plans to introduce surgery at Bassetlaw Hospital in Worksop next month.

The announcement comes as it was also revealed that the first patients to undergo bariatric surgery in Doncaster, after the service was introduced in May last year, have now lost 603kg – or 1,327 pounds – between them.

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals Foundation Trust successfully bid for Doncaster Royal Infirmary to become the second surgery centre in South Yorkshire when the established centre in Sheffield could no longer cope with the rising number of patients requiring obesity surgery.

Now there are plans to expand the service to Bassetlaw Hospital from April, initially with a monthly outpatient service and a follow-up clinic.

A trust spokesman said: “Patients are referred by their GPs if they have a body mass index (BMI) of more than 45 and also have an obesity-related illness such as diabetes – or a BMI of over 50 without an additional illness – and have unsuccessfully tried to lose weight through diet, exercise, and medication.

“Around 10 to 12 patients a month will have surgery when the service is fully up and running.

“The three-month surgical programme begins with patients having to lose weight and follow a liver-shrinking diet before surgery.

“One of three operations are offered to patients – gastric bypass, gastric band or sleeve gastrectomy.

“The pros and cons of each are discussed with patients, who make the final decision on the best operations for them.”

The spokesman added: “Keyhole, or laparoscopic, surgery is offered wherever possible as this reduces the surgical risks and helps quicker recovery.”