It has been reported that waiting lists for hospital appointments in the UK are at the highest level since 2008. Patients are supposed to be seen within 18 weeks, but due to COVID-19 and other factors, 140,000 people have waited over a year – that figure in February 2020 was just 1,600.

It’s likely that this number will get worse over the winter months with more cases of COVID-19 alongside other seasonal illnesses. And while cases continue to rise, large NHS hospitals in major cities have already been forced to make cancellations for non-urgent work.

We have commented widely on the long NHS waiting lists for weight loss surgery, which before the pandemic, could have been up to 2 years long. Now, it’s likely this wait could be even longer, and criteria to be eligible will again need to be tightened to free up space for cancer treatment and other serious illnesses that have fallen down the line.

The number of weight loss procedures done on the NHS has been dramatically decreasing each year. 12,000 operations were carried out back in 2007, yet in 2018, that figure was a mere 4,500. We don’t have the statistics at the moment, but we can say with confidence that that number will be significantly lower in 2020.

Avoid NHS waiting lists with Healthier Weight

At Healthier Weight, our primary focus is weight loss surgery, and at the time of writing, we’re still able to offer this premium service at all of our locations across the country.

When you go private, you pay for quality and simplicity. We work with world-renowned bariatric surgeons, in some of the best facilities with a dedicated nursing team and can safely say that we are the most trusted weight loss surgery provider in the UK. Yet, perhaps the biggest benefit of choosing us, there’s no waiting list!

Blog: What makes Healthier Weight the most trusted weight loss surgery provider in the UK?

We endeavour to make the process as easy and seamless as possible and many people go from first consultation to procedure within weeks. But great surgery requires just as great aftercare.

Aftercare is key to the success of your weight loss procedure, and we have developed the most comprehensive plans to ensure you’re getting the absolute best results. Surgery on the NHS may come with some aftercare, but we can only imagine that waiting lists for follow up appointments are also rapidly increasing. Once you are a patient with us, you are a patient for life.

Gallbladder removal surgery with Healthier Weight

As experts in laparoscopic surgery, we’ve also begun offering gallbladder removal as one of our services.

Gallbladder removal is the most effective way to treat painful gallstones. Gallstones are small ‘stones’ that form in the gallbladder. They are quite common. Some people have gallstones and are without symptoms but for others, they result in frequent flare-ups of abdominal pain.

It’s impossible to predict who will get gallstones but we know that they are more common as we get older and among people who follow a diet that is rich in fat. They are also more likely to occur in people who have lost weight rapidly. People who have had weight loss surgery such as gastric sleeve and gastric bypass are more prone to gallstones in the years after surgery.

Longer NHS waiting lists mean that people suffering from gallstones will be living in pain for a significantly longer time, possibly over 2 years. There biggest benefit of having your procedure done privately is the short waiting list, you can book a consultation with a surgeon and have your procedure booked within days.

It’s very common for patients to combine their weight loss procedure and gallbladder removal and have them done at the same time. If this is something you’d like to discuss with the team, make an enquiry and one of our patient care team will be happy to talk you through your options.

If you’re thinking of avoiding the growing NHS waiting list for weight loss surgery or gallbladder removal, why not give the team a call on 0800 313 4618 to discuss your options. Alternatively, use the button below to get a free quote.

Last review: 20/11/2020. All content on this page is reviewed by a multi-disciplinary team lead by Mr Rishi Singhal.