We lost 51 tonnes of fat (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Southampton hospital celebrates its 1,000th weight loss op
2:05pm Tuesday 3rd August 2010 in Beat the Bulge
Patients, surgeons and staff at The Spire Hospital in Southampton celebrate the milestone in weight loss.
MORE than 1,000 obese people have gone under the knife at a Southampton hospital – and lost a combined total of 51 tonnes.
The milestone has been reached at the Spire Southampton Hospital after eight years of gastric band and bypass operations.
The total weight lost by the hospital’s patients over the past eight years is equivalent to ten adult elephants or 612 average men.
Surgeons carry out operations there privately and for the NHS.
Bariatric surgeon Michael Van den Bossche said when the hospital first began performing weight-loss surgery in 2002 only a handful of gastric band procedures were being carried out each month. The hospital is now averaging about 30 each month.
He said: “Most people who are overweight are desperately unhappy. People who have had surgery tell me about how I have given them their life back “It is also about prevention. The health costs associated with obesity runs into the millions.”
The Daily Echo revealed last month that the city’s above average obesity levels is costing the city a staggering £147m a year.
An investigation into the city’s weighty problem, carried out by the city council’s health scrutiny panel, also found that just over one in four adults and nearly one in ten five-year-olds are classed as dangerously fat.
Currently, patients have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 45 and above plus evidence of a serious health condition such as type 2 diabetes to be eligible for treatment on the NHS. Chronically overweight people, with a BMI of 60 and above, qualify automatically.
However, Mr Van den Bossche said health chiefs should lower the criteria because obese young people with no serious illness should be able to have the operation for their present and future mental and physical health.
Jane Whitney Smith, head of clinical services at the Spire Southampton Hospital in Chalybeate Close, said the surgery carried out at the hospital changed people’s lives, but was only the first step in keeping the weight off in the future.
She said: “We ensure that they receive the best possible after care service. Our consultant dietician, Rhoda Sutherland is there to provide our patients with support for as long as they require it, as is our counselling service.”
Comments(15)
Saintbob
says...
2:42pm Tue 3 Aug 10
Brite Spark
says...
4:39pm Tue 3 Aug 10
StEmmosfire
says...
4:50pm Tue 3 Aug 10
Brite Spark wrote:I completely agree, but what can be done about it? They will be more of a strain on the NHS being obese than not being obese? It should only be available privately but I assume for reasons they can’t afford it. SW = poor-meal !?
1,000 ops for weight loss, maybe that figure helps to explain why some patients have to wait months for genuinely seriously needed operations, that are not brought about by their own action - or inaction in this example.
Cazzy
says...
4:58pm Tue 3 Aug 10
Fur Q
says...
5:30pm Tue 3 Aug 10
Cazzy wrote:Fair play Cazzy,
If people really want to loose weight then they would be able to do it off their own backs and not go under the knife.I am speaking from experience as last July I went to my doctor as I was sick of being over weight it had got to the point where I did not want to go out due to the looks and comments I was getting.I asked her if she would prescribe me some gym sessions.I also decided to stick to a low fat diet where everything I eat has to have no more than 5 grams of fat per 100 grams.A year later and I have so far lost 8stone 7lb. So I think I can say that with determination it can be done without going under the knife.
Help yourself is the answer, it aint rocket science.
Atpost
says...
6:21pm Tue 3 Aug 10
Honest words of common-sense.
Why do people think that they can get results with no effort? - bunch of waisters.
(intended pun)
Gladbachsaint
says...
9:01am Wed 4 Aug 10
Lost 1,000 Tonnes of Fat ?????
I thought Saints had sold Lambert for a minute.
Gladbachsaint
says...
9:06am Wed 4 Aug 10
Gladbachsaint wrote:Lesson one
CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lost 1,000 Tonnes of Fat ????? I thought Saints had sold Lambert for a minute.
Read it properly
rich the stitch
says...
10:31am Wed 4 Aug 10
B. L.
says...
2:54pm Wed 4 Aug 10
Mrs ML
says...
5:04pm Wed 4 Aug 10
downfader
says...
8:09pm Wed 4 Aug 10
StEmmosfire wrote:Dont rely on the BMI. Its just an indicator for those with a sedantry lifestyle. If you have a very active life (lots of sports, or a very physical job) then muscle mass will throw the measurement into meaninglessness.
Shame it had to get to the point that they needed to have surgery to solve there obesity problem. According to the BMI index I am borderline over weight, 5ft 9 and 12 stone. Does the BMI really work?
.
For example, I am 6 foot 2, but I'm 14 stone. According to the BMI I'm obese iirc. However I ride 20 miles a day on the bike in and out of work. My job is also the equivilent of a workout in a sauna, LOL!
S'tonLady
says...
12:41am Thu 5 Aug 10
No you're not you took the easy way out and now you have the cheek to promote this cruddy method of weight loss.
Selfishly risking your lives because you don't want to try a salad.
Grrr! It makes me so mad!
Show the people who slaved away at dieting clubs, and the ones who bothered pick up a tennis racket. They're the ones who inspired me to lose 5 stone.
charliesmummy
says...
10:41am Thu 19 Aug 10
StEmmosfire says...
2:14pm Tue 3 Aug 10