article_snippet: Gastric band and gastric bypass operations are only carried out on the NHS when a patient's life is deemed to be at risk.
article_snippet: Such surgery is a last resort, and before Such surgery is considered a patient is asked to make drastic changes to their lifestyle to try and lose weight naturally.
article_snippet: The guidelines are such that a 5ft 5ins child will not be considered eligible for the drastic procedure unless The guidelines weigh at least 15 stone.
article_snippet: Meanwhile someone who is 5ft 8ins would need to weigh almost 17 stone before someone who is 5ft 8ins can be given the go-ahead for surgery.
article_snippet: Concerns have been raised that people are opting for stomach surgery as an 'easy option' rather than go to the trouble of changing people lifestyle, eating more healthily and taking exercise.
article_snippet: NHS guidelines state that surgery can only be offered when the patient has 'life threatening obesity' - a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above, or a BMI of 35 with other serious health conditions that could be improved through weight loss, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
article_snippet: The policy states: 'The policy is always recommended that patients try to lose weight through a healthy, calorie-controlled diet and increased exercise before you consider weight loss surgery, as surgery carries a risk of complications and requires a significant change in lifestyle afterwards. '
article_snippet: Due to these associated risks, most surgeons, whether most surgeons are working privately or for the NHS, would only consider a person for surgery if there was a clinical need, and not just for cosmetic reasons.'
article_snippet: People can also opt to pay for weight loss surgery privately.
article_snippet: Current statistics suggest that there is a one in 1,000 risk of death from weight loss surgery within 30 days.
highlights_snippet: Bariatric surgery is a last resort, only used where patients' lives are at risk .