Keren Slater, a 48-year-old man from Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire, has expressed strong criticism of his local NHS trust, Homerton Healthcare, for its refusal to perform bariatric surgery on him for a second time. Mr Slater, who is severely obese at 23 stone, claims the decision is directly linked to his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which he states causes him to crave sugary foods and impacts his ability to adhere to strict dietary plans.

Mr Slater previously received an NHS-funded gastric band in 2006. However, he claims it ceased to function effectively after only six months and was eventually removed in June 2024 due to complications, including wrapping around his stomach, causing sepsis and a massive chest infection, as well as fluid on his lungs. Following the removal, he had hoped for a gastric bypass operation to help him manage his weight.

Despite his belief that a gastric bypass is his only viable solution for weight loss, Mr Slater alleges that doctors have blocked the life-changing procedure. He claims their reasoning is a lack of confidence in his ability to maintain a healthy eating plan due to his ADHD. While acknowledging that his ADHD allows him to super focus on tasks, remain calm in stressful situations, and multitask effectively, he highlights that its primary drawback is its significant impact on his relationship with food, specifically constant sugar cravings. He asserts that he is being discriminated against based on his condition.

ADHD is a developmental disorder characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Research consistently indicates a higher prevalence of obesity among adults with ADHD, as the disorder can impede the development of healthy habits, resistance to temptations, and focus on long-term goals, making bariatric surgery an appealing option for those struggling with weight.

Mr Slater has battled with his weight for most of his life, weighing 21 stone by age 27. Diagnosed with ADHD at 38, he attributes his weight loss struggles to the disorder, noting a tendency to turn to food when bored or stressed. While the gastric band initially helped him slim down to 16 stone, he now wears a 2XL top and 46-inch trousers.

Both Mr Slater and his mother, Anne Ashley-Jones, had placed their hopes on the gastric bypass. According to Mr Slater, tests performed by Homerton Hospital in January 2025 to assess the success of the gastric band removal initially indicated that the bypass surgery could proceed. NHS guidelines typically require bariatric surgery candidates to have a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40 (or 35 with co-morbidities), have exhausted other weight loss methods, and commit to significant lifestyle and dietary changes post-surgery.

However, during an appointment in June 2025, Mr Slater met with a health practitioner he had not encountered before, who conducted an ADHD questionnaire. He claims that based on this assessment, she recommended against the surgery. A letter from Homerton Healthcare Trust later confirmed the refusal, stating: "There is significant allied health professional concerns regarding the engagement with dietary changes, his ADHD, as well as high expectations of surgery in addition to the surgery risk." The Trust concluded that "the risks of surgery outweigh the benefits and recommend discharge back to the GP."

Feeling abandoned, Mr Slater, who suffers from extreme sleep apnea, constant fatigue, a BMI over 50, and high blood pressure, said he is "left in limbo." He had hoped for a transfer to Luton hospital, which was initially agreed upon but resulted in his discharge instead. He also considered private surgery, but the £15,000 cost is prohibitive, and he notes the lack of comprehensive support compared to the NHS. Severe obesity is linked to serious health conditions like sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, and certain cancers; sleep apnea, in particular, can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.

A spokesperson for Homerton Healthcare Trust stated they could not comment on individual cases but apologized to any patient who felt they did not receive the highest standards of care. They emphasized that all patients awaiting bariatric surgery follow appropriate policy and pathways, including both physical and psychological assessments, to ensure the procedure is the correct course of treatment.