Often people that struggle with their body mass (weight) and go through many attempts at dieting with prolonged periods of weight loss and gain. GPs are a rich source of support and help for any patient considering their options and referral to a surgical centre should only be considered after other options have been considered.

The NHS doesn’t routinely fund weight loss (bariatric) surgery and patients will have to meet a list of conditions to qualify these are set out in national guidance produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Primary Care Trusts or PCTs (who fund the operations) will use this guidance together with other locally agreed criteria as the framework for their decision to fund weight loss surgery.
There are several recommendations within the national guidance for people considering surgery on the NHS but the most important is shown below:

You will need to have a BMI of 40
Or

  • A BMI of 35 if you also have a condition made worse by obesity. This might include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems or severe joint problems.
  • You will be expected to have tried all other alternatives (including diets, drug treatments or even counselling) for a minimum of 6 months.
  • You may be required to have attended a specialist NHS obesity clinic for at least a year.
  • You will need to be assessed as fit enough for the operation and general anaesthetic. You must be aware of the risks of complications.
  • You must understand the need for long term follow up and be committed to changing your lifestyle.


For some people surgery has been proven as a highly successful solution and for most people self-pay is the only solution. Streamline Surgical has the experience and reputation and is able to offer all the common weight loss procedure together with excellent aftercare.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Before think about the possibility of a surgical option for you, you will need to know your body mass index or BMI. The BMI is one methods of assessing how overweight you may be. We have provided a calculator to help your to calculate your own BMI.
Body Mass Index (BMI) describes a person’s body weight relative to their height and correlates strongly with the body fat content. It is the primary indictor used by bariatric surgeons to assess a patient’s suitability for surgery and to monitor post-operative weight loss.
BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight (kg) by their height squared (m²).
To calculate your BMI use this link. BMI

“We’ve made sure that we have a team who completely understand and empathise with our patients’ obesity issues. Obesity is a worldwide problem and to tackle it in the long-term is key to people’s health and happiness” Mr. Guy Slater, Consultant Bariatric Surgeon