[smudgie]

I wonder how much of the tax on tobacco goes into the NHS, quite a large amount I should imagine. Probably pays for a hefty chunk of any care they get.
However, I can imagine the frustration that surgeons/ consultants feel when they operate on somebody but they still carry on smoking knowing the risks of not improving is high, this is nothing new though, my stepfather was operated on for a blockage in his leg, put down to his smoking, over 20 years ago, when he went back for his 6 week check up, he hadn't packed in smoking so the consultant told him he would not see him again.
If you are overweight then it is pretty obvious that everything is higher risk, more anaesthetic is needed to knock you out to start with, the op takes longer, more chance of hernias occurring, harder to get back on your feet etc, if you are not at any life risk then it would be wiser for your own chances of a better recovery to lose some weight first.
If any operation is needed to save life then there should be no question of how much they weigh, if they drink or smoke or are drug addicts,everyone deserves the chance to live. Surely that's one of the reasons our wonderful doctors and NHS workers choose their vocation.