Endobarrier

[akw53]

Having Type 2 Diabetes and meeting all the criteria for the NHS trials that started in 2010, I would like to know when Endobarrier would be available to me on the NHS. I am sure I would be eligible for Gastric bypass surgery, but Endobarrier seems to be a much better and cost effective method and would seem to be a much better solution for me.

Thanks for your time.

[Lisa Holmes]

Hello, I have tried to find out more information about the Endobarrier and NHS and so far can't find out more than you probably already know about it. Will continue to look for more information, Lisa

[Mr James Byrne]

Hello
I am sorry I missed your post. Thank you for asking about the Endobarrier. This is a promising new device that is placed in the duodenum endoscopically and is helpful in promoting weight loss as well as improving blood sugar control amongst patients with type 2 diabetes.

Whilst we are very encouraged by the early results from the endobarrier studies performed elsewhere, the UK multicentre study in which we were involved is not yet completed, and the results therefore are yet to be published. Unfortunately, the place of the Endobarrier in managing patients has not yet been defined sufficiently clearly for the procedure to be offered on the NHS as an alternative to conventional weight loss surgery. You are quite correct that it is much less invasive and therefore should be a safer intervention than conventional surgery. I suspect that apart from research studies it will be at least 2-3 years before this treatment is made available on the NHS, and that in the first instance it would be made available only to very clearly defined groups of patients who are judged likely to derive the greatest benefit.

if you are eligible for gastric bypass surgery then I suggest you consider seeing your doctor to explain how you feel and that you would like to be considered for the Endobarrier treatment, which you hsoudl be bale to discuss with a specialist weight management team.

Good luck