New BUPA website sizes up weight loss surgery

BUPA Hospitals is helping to make weight loss surgery more accessible by providing people with quick and comprehensive information on its new website.

Backed by BUPA's significant medical expertise, the on-line site bupaweightloss.co.uk has been launched to provide the advice and support that those concerned about their weight need to decide how best to lead a longer and healthier life.

Nearly a quarter of adults are now clinically obese and obesity rates are rising. According to a report for the Department of Health, by 2010 more than 12 million adults and one million children will be obese.

The health implications for people who are morbidly obese are very serious. As waist-lines grow, so does the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and heart disease as well as low self-esteem and depression.

For adults the most common benchmark of healthy weight is based on a person's height and weight, and is called body mass index (BMI). You are obese if your BMI is 30-40. If your BMI is over 40 then you are considered morbidly obese.

This new website provides an online calculator that allows people to work out if their weight is a serious health problem. Also available is an award-winning booklet for patients explaining all the points to consider when thinking about weight loss surgery.

Dr Jean-Jacques de Gorter, clinical director for BUPA Hospitals, said: "With obesity on the increase across the UK, it is absolutely vital to provide accurate and easy to understand information for people who may be concerned they have a serious weight problem.

"In appropriately selected patients including those who have failed to lose weight by any other method, obesity surgery can offer the best chance of successful weight loss and improving your overall health. This website will provide you with the information you need to decide if this treatment is right for you."

BUPA provides weight loss surgery at 14 of their hospitals in Bristol, Cambridge Lea, Cardiff, Harpenden, Leicester, Leeds, Norwich, Portsmouth, Manchester, Solihull, Southampton, Sutton Coldfield, Tunbridge Wells and Wirral. Patients can be reassured that in 2006 there were no cases of bloodborne MRSA in any of our 26 hospitals.

Each hospital provides a comprehensive service that includes careful assessment and support from a dedicated team of doctors and nurses before and after any operation.

For more information about BUPA weight loss surgery or to measure your BMI please visit bupaweightloss.co.uk or call 0800 434 6622. A wide range of free health fact sheets are also available at bupa.com/health.