Lap Bands Could Save the NHS Money
More people struggling with obesity will be allowed weight loss surgery on the NHS after NICE recommended that more obese patients with type 2 diabetes be given operations to reverse the symptoms of their condition. Under the new guidelines around two million British people will now be eligible to receive free treatment via the NHS.
Critics say that this is likely to bankrupt the service, which already has a £30 billion deficit and suggest that offering £6,000 surgeries to such patients will only deepen that deficit. This is a rather short sighted view, however, as diabetes currently costs the NHS £10 billion every single year, a bill that could be slashed if type 2 diabetes cases were significantly reduced, along with people’s waistlines. In addition, the NHS also spend a further £6 billion on other conditions related to obesity, such as heart disease and blindness. If more people lost weight, the annual bill would be a fraction of this.
Obesity also affects the economy in other ways. It can interfere with a person’s ability to perform daily activities and many people with morbid obesity are unable to work. This denies society the social contribution they would have made during their career, as well as taking away their means of earning for their family and costing the UK tax payer more in benefit payments.
A report by McKinsey and Company stated that obesity costs the UK nearly £47 billion a year – more than violence and war.
Dr. Christian Jessen of Channel 4’s ‘Weighing up the Enemy’ says that if more people had gastric surgery, the NHS could save millions.
At The London Obesity Clinic, lap band cost is significantly cheaper than for other types of gastric surgery and when choosing us to help you lose weight, you will be saving your pocket as well as helping the economy. Don’t worry if you can’t afford to self-pay – we also accept medical insurance. Call us today for a slimmer, healthier and more prosperous future.
Critics say that this is likely to bankrupt the service, which already has a £30 billion deficit and suggest that offering £6,000 surgeries to such patients will only deepen that deficit. This is a rather short sighted view, however, as diabetes currently costs the NHS £10 billion every single year, a bill that could be slashed if type 2 diabetes cases were significantly reduced, along with people’s waistlines. In addition, the NHS also spend a further £6 billion on other conditions related to obesity, such as heart disease and blindness. If more people lost weight, the annual bill would be a fraction of this.
Obesity also affects the economy in other ways. It can interfere with a person’s ability to perform daily activities and many people with morbid obesity are unable to work. This denies society the social contribution they would have made during their career, as well as taking away their means of earning for their family and costing the UK tax payer more in benefit payments.
A report by McKinsey and Company stated that obesity costs the UK nearly £47 billion a year – more than violence and war.
Dr. Christian Jessen of Channel 4’s ‘Weighing up the Enemy’ says that if more people had gastric surgery, the NHS could save millions.
At The London Obesity Clinic, lap band cost is significantly cheaper than for other types of gastric surgery and when choosing us to help you lose weight, you will be saving your pocket as well as helping the economy. Don’t worry if you can’t afford to self-pay – we also accept medical insurance. Call us today for a slimmer, healthier and more prosperous future.