article_snippet: Weight-loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, is available on the NHS to those who are morbidly obese with a body mass index (BMI) of over 40 — or to those who have a BMI of 35 to 40, but whose weight is causing a serious, obesity-related health complaint, such as type 2 diabetes.
article_snippet: Thousands already have the surgery each year and, recently, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence proposed that those newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who have a BMI of 30 or above should be considered for it, too.
article_snippet: The new technique, called Primary Obesity Surgery Endolumenal, is less invasive and, researchers say, causes less post-operative pain, has reduced risk of infection and leaves no external scars.
article_snippet: The new technique, called Primary Obesity Surgery Endolumenal has already been tested in small trials in Europe.
article_snippet: Dr Thomas Lavin, of The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana, who is leading a new trial to further test its efficacy at a number of centres in the U.S., says: ‘It could mean tens of thousands of patients may have an incredibly compelling new option to consider if tens of thousands of patients’ve struggled to lose weight with diet and exercise, but aren’t candidates for, or are not prepared to accept the risk of, traditional bariatric surgery.
article_snippet: Over the past ten years, there have been a succession of advances in bariatric surgery, and we have moved from the scalpel to the endoscope.
highlights_snippet: It is called Primary Obesity Surgery Endolumenal and is far less invasive .
  