Weight loss surgery in Scotland rises sharply

HOSPITAL treatment for people classed as dangerously obese has surged in recent years with bariatric surgeries increasing by more than one third between 2012 and 2015, new figures showed.

New figures show Scotland has seen a sharp increase in the number of bariatric surgeries. Picture: Getty Images

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats showed that between 2012 and 2015, 713 Scots underwent bariatric surgery to support weight loss - a 36 per cent increase on the number of operations completed in Scotland between 2009 and 2011.

Lib Dem MSP Jim Hume called on the Scottish Government to look at how it can “help Scots manage their weight more effectively” to prevent obesity.

Mr Hume said: “The proportion of Scots who are overweight or obese has increased significantly since the mid-1990s. The fact that the number of weight loss surgeries increased so substantially in the last three years would suggest that we have still not got to grips with Scotland’s growing waistline.

“There are no easy answers here and the solution needs to include promoting physical activity, educating people about food and medical interventions where appropriate.

“First and foremost this is about Scotland’s health, but overweight and obese patients also increase pressure on our NHS. People struggling with their weight are more likely to suffer from any number of health conditions.”