Australian Doctors ask for Obesity Surgery increase

October 10, 2005

Due to the increasing demand for obesity surgeries in Australia, surgeons say there need to be more surgeries conducted every year. Bariatric surgeries have risen ten-fold over the past decade. And surgery remains the only way to treat morbidly obese people.

In 2004, about 3700 Australians underwent stomach banding. Dr Alastair Taylor says he is expecting more obese patients in the coming years and added that Australia needs more surgeons to conduct such surgeries. A government initiative and the willingness to train more people will be an advantage if hospitals can cope with more trainees. Obesity is a life endangering disorder which has raised alarms in US, UK, Australia and many countries worldwide. Health experts and organizations have come forward to reduce the complexities attached to this serious disorder and help patients stay away from many complicated illnesses associated with obesity.