New draft guidelines from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on eligibility for bariatric surgery have been released.
Consultation on the proposed new guidelines is now open – and will close at 5pm on August 8. It is anticipated that full guidance will then be issued in November.
Current guidance says surgery is an option for people with a BMI above 35 who have other health conditions.
The update in guidance strengthens the focus on those with type 2 diabetes. It states that people who have been diagnosed in the past decade and have a BMI over 35 should be assessed for surgery.
The guidelines also suggests doctors should consider those with a BMI of 30 or more on a case-by-case basis.
The Guidelines can be viewed here – http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/GID-CGWAVE0682/Consultation