Who's entitled to WLS??

According to the NICE guidelines on Obesity (P11):

"Bariatric surgery is recommended as a treatment option for adults with obesity if all of the following criteria are fulfilled:
− they have a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or more, or between 35 kg/m2 and 40 kg/m2 and other significant disease (for example, type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure) that could be improved if they lost weight
− all appropriate non-surgical measures have been tried but have failed to achieve or maintain adequate, clinically beneficial weight loss for at least 6 months
− the person has been receiving or will receive intensive management in a specialist obesity service
− the person is generally fit for anaesthesia and surgery
− the person commits to the need for long-term follow-up.
• Bariatric surgery is also recommended as a first-line option (instead of lifestyle interventions or drug treatment) for adults with a BMI of more than 50 kg/m2 in whom surgical intervention is considered appropriate."

The only thing is the NICE guidelines are there as a "guideline" and some PCT's and NHS Trusts do not adhere to them or loosely adhere to them.

My advice for anyone considering WLS would be badger your GP for a referral to a hospital that does WLS and make sure you make a diary of all your weight loss attempts to your GP appointment so if he is in two minds you can prove to him you have tried and exhausted all attempts.

Good luck!