To prevent overweight people from going under the knife too soon, Belgium's National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (RIZIV) is launching an action plan against hasty stomach reductions.
Belgium is being hit by increasing levels of obesity. Figures published by the World Health Organisation show that around 59.5% of the population is overweight or obese. It is estimated that some 14,000 people undergo surgery for this every year, but often, they do so without receiving enough information or counselling.
"Currently in Belgium, we are seeing a very variable length of time between that first consultation and the actual surgery," RIZIV stated on Wednesday.
Data analysis showed that, while most surgeries take place three months after an initial consultation, in almost 32% of cases, it happens earlier. Very exceptionally, no consultation with a surgeon even seems to precede it at all, despite the fact that there is a risk of complications and side effects.
"Surgery does not solve all problems, and for a successful, long-term effect, the patient has to adapt their diet and behaviour (e.g. increased exercise) for life. They also need long-term medical, nutritional and even psychological follow-ups. Every candidate for bariatric surgery should therefore be well informed, and should receive proper counselling, both before and after the procedure."
Minimum waiting period
The RIZIV is therefore stepping up its fight against "ineffective care" with the aim of improving help for this group by imposing a minimum period of three months between a patient's first consultation with a bariatric surgeon and the actual procedure.
This action plan should lead to a better surgery policy and prevent operations from taking place too soon. "The introduction of a minimum preoperative interval between consultation by a surgeon and surgery may even lead some patients to forgo surgery, which could theoretically reduce the number of procedures."
It is hoped that it will allow patients to see other healthcare providers in the meantime, such as a dietician, a psychologist and an endocrinologist.
The imposed waiting period will not necessarily reduce the cost of the procedure, but RIZIV explained that the proposal's aim is "not to yield possible savings, but rather to optimise the quality of care."
