Obesity op for youngsters

PATIENTS as young as 22 in the Lothians have had surgery to help them lose weight, it has emerged.

In the past three years, patients aged 22, 23 and 24 have all had gastric bands fitted as the health board attempts to help people battling obesity.

In total, there have been 80 "bariatric surgery" cases locally, a figure that has been on the rise in recent years, statistics released under Freedom of Information show.

Overweight patients cost NHS Lothian millions of pounds each year, placing a severe strain on the service.