Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition in which the body is either unable to make enough insulin or it becomes resistant to the insulin it makes, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels – which is called hyperglycemia. Current treatments for adults with type 2 diabetes are designed to help them prevent hyperglycemia with medical management (medication, exercise, and nutritional counselling), but for some people who also have class I obesity (a body mass index between 30 and 35 kg/m2), keeping blood glucose levels within a healthy range can still be challenging.

Bariatric surgery is any procedure that modifies the stomach or intestines to limit the amount of food that can be consumed or restrict the digestion of food, with the purpose of helping the person to lose weight to reduce health risks.

This health technology assessment looked at how safe, effective, and cost-effective bariatric surgery is for adults with class I obesity and difficult-to-manage type 2 diabetes. It also looked at the budget impact of publicly funding bariatric surgery in this population and at the experiences, preferences, and values of people with obesity and difficult-to-manage type 2 diabetes.