Obesity is increasingly recognised as harmful to the length and quality of life and indeed is often the underlying cause in conditions thought of as life-threatening diseases in their own right - diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension and stroke.

Some doctors are now begining to focus on a specific group, the 'morbidly obese', whose Body Mass Index (a measure of weight-for-height) exceeds 35-40 kilograms per square metre.

Recognising the seriousness of this condition, doctors have resorted to drastic measures to help these patients lose weight. Behavioural therapy alone has generally proved of limited success, so various surgical techniques have been employed for example, enforced weight loss through by-passing the intestine, which although effective is no longer recommended because of the risk of nutritional imbalance. Other safer methods are jaw-wiring which is not permanent, 'Stomach stapling' which has varying degrees of success from patient to patient, and is irreversible.

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The treatment involves a 'minimal invasive' operation which may last as little as 45 minutes. Through several very small incisions a band, developed in Sweden, is situated around the extreme upper stomach, where it restricts food intake to small quantities, often through a natural feeling of fullness. The band can be tightened at any time after surgery, as agreed between the patient and the clinic team.

This variable control enables a slow but consistent weight loss, quite unlike the frustrating yo-yoing patients have experienced in the past. results vary, as do individuals, but it may be possible for up to 80% of excess weight to be lost over a 2 year period.

The St. Anthony's group believe this gives the patient a means to recover control over the effect of eating on their lives. Surgical treatment and follow-up are integrated with post-operative counselling, behavioural and life-style support, provided in partnership with Hayes Grove Priory Hospital. In this way the St. Anthony's Obesity Clinic is able to offer a multi-disciplinary dynamic treatment which has already demonstrated considerable benefit in a series of patients.