article_snippet: A gastric band operation, which reduces the size of the stomach, costs up to £8,000.
article_snippet: Meanwhile, a full gastric bypass, which re-routes the digestive system meaning a person can digest much less food, costs around £15,000.
article_snippet: However, many surgeons argue that the stomach bands could save the NHS money through reducing levels of obesity and associated illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, which are estimated to cost the Health Service £5 billion a year.