Obesity surgery (also called bariatric or metabolic surgery) is a highly complex undertaking. Surgery never happens in isolation, and a team of specialists is required to assess and manage patients throughout their journey.
Patients do vastly better if their obesity surgery is done in an accredited unit.
In keeping with global standards, South African medical aids will only consider funding this type of surgery in formally accredited units. The hospital and the unit, as well as the surgeon performing the surgeries, need to be accredited. This process takes over 2-3 years to complete, with members of the team attending specialised courses, and the surgeon undergoing an extensive proctoring program that includes performing 25 bariatric operations under supervision by a training surgeon. The hospital needs to obtain specialised equipment including theatre instruments, bariatric-specific ward beds and custom-fitting bigger rooms with specialised toilet facilities. Nursing and catering staff need specific training.
The Hilton Bariatric Unit, with Dr Henry van Niekerk as Principal Surgeon, obtained full accreditation from SASSO (The South African Society for Surgery of Obesity) in October 2021. More information can be obtained from the SASSO website.
