Weight ops at a record high

THE number of weight-loss surgery procedures carried out by NHS Lothian was the joint highest ever last year, new figures show.

In 2011-12, 48 patients received bariatric surgery operations, which includes having gastric bands fitted.

The figure increased from the previous year, when 43 of the procedures were carried out, and equalled the tally from 2009-10.

Since NHS Lothian began to offer the surgery in 2007-8, the health board has carried out 171 of the procedures, the figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show.