to think they shouldn't advertise bariatric surgery on the radio?

[Chulita]

Just listening to a popular radio station and they have a jolly sounding young lady saying how she lost 8st with a gastric band and it was the best decision she made. They then invite you to pop in on their open day...surely it's up to the GP to start someone down this route rather than this?

same for ads for all cosmetic surgery though isn't it?

'cept weight loss surgery isn't always cosmetic and they make it sound so easy - come and get a gastric band and you'll drop those extra pounds and be happier than you've ever been. It's risky though right? And gastric bands mean you have to change your eating habits quite drastically

No it is not up the GP. For most parts of the country Bariatric surgery is not available via the NHS or if it is, it is on a severely restricted basis. Most bariatric surgery is conducted privately either here in the UK and places like The Weight Loss Group or in Belgium.

THat is not to say that the surgeons who conduct this surgery have lax criteria for accepting patients. Generally speaking they want to keep their success rates high and accepting patients who are not suitable will not help their stats.

I am speaking as a successful bandster who dropped 60 kilos and was finally able realise my dream of a family.

Yes, gastric banding requires you to adjust your diet and in some cases rather dramatically. It is usually offered with an aftercare package to ensure that patients get the most from it including a psychologist and nutritionist to help you adjust.

As for risks, no surgery is risk free but the risks associated with banding are about the same as those from hernia repair. Gastric BYPASS has higher risks associated with it but also a greater success rate.

Personally, getting my band was the best thing that ever happened to me. I would happily recommend it to anyone who was ready to acknowledge they had a life long weight problem and wanted to do something about it.

But surely even though they are advertised they are not open to anyone. So someone who wasn't suitable would be turned away by the surgeon anyway. And the surgeon has a legal obligation to warn of adverse risks anyway. It does, however, mean that some people who might otherwise not go to GP about their problem would have a better quality of life.

TAHT WORD AGAIN
BARIATRIC

whsts wrong with the word?

YABU

people can pay privately if they choose, but as has been pointed out, if they are not suitable, they won't be given the surgery.. well, not by an ethical surgeon anyway

all types of cosmetic surgery is advertised in the media, why shouldn;t this be?>

this is potentially life changing/saving surgery, why should people not hear baout it and have the chance to attend an open day to learn more about it

It's widely advertised in those ads sections in magazines though ? Along with cosmetic procedures ?

Johnny - you obviously missed the AIBU involving a bariatric chair.

I've been meaning to drop the word into conversation but I haven't had a chance yet.

love it!

Ok, fair one. I just found it odd and maybe slightly 'pie-in-the-sky' but I'm happy to bow to the majority.
Maybe I was just tempted to get 'bariatric' in there again