A SURGEON who believes he can "cure" patients whose lives are threatened by obesity says he may have carried out his last operation because of lack of funds.

Two months ago, keyhole surgeon Hasan Bandi operated on a 24st women who was desperate to lose weight.

Mr Bandi, a surgeon at the University Hospital of Hartlepool, used a procedure known as bariatric surgery, which is relatively common in Europe, but little used in the UK. Bariatric surgery involves looping a plastic band around the top of the stomach.

By tightening the band, the surgeon can limit the capacity of the patient's stomach and drastically reduce food consumption.

The operation appears to be a success and the unidentified woman patient, who is in her 30s and from Hartlepool, has lost nearly 4st.

But because access to NHS bariatric surgery is limited, Mr Bandi fears he will not be able to operate on any more obese patients.

Apart from the £1,100 cost of the gastric band, the procedure needs a reinforced operating table, which he borrowed for the operation.

Mr Bandi estimates that it could cost up to £20,000 to equip a unit. "My hope is that the Primary Care Trust (PCT) will release some money," he said.

The woman patient said she thought the NHS was being short-sighted in not backing a new bariatric surgery service at Hartlepool.

"You are going to have to pay a fortune to treat obesity anyway, so it would be money well spent," she said.

Hartlepool PCT officials said patients requiring bariatric surgery are referred to a specialist centre in Sunderland and funding was considered on a case-by-case basis.

The PCT is pursuing a preventative anti-obesity policy by promoting weight management courses.

About 70 North-East patients are currently 'under review' after undergoing bariatric surgery on the NHS.