Currently in Queensland, Australia, to apply for Government funded Bariatric Surgery it is a service aimed at helping people that have type 2 diabetes.

Queensland
Adults (18 years and over)

In 2017-18, around two thirds (65.9%) of adults were overweight or obese. One third (33.5%) of adults were categorised as overweight and almost one third (32.4%) were categorised as obese. Just under one third (32.3%) were within the healthy weight range and 1.8% were underweight. 

The proportion of adults who were overweight or obese in 2017-18 has increased since 2007-08 (60.8%), however, has remained similar to 2014-15 (63.6%) and 2011-12 (64.9%).
 
In 2017-18, a greater proportion of men were overweight or obese compared with women (72.9% and 59.3% respectively). These proportions have remained constant since 2014-15 (70.7% and 56.6% respectively) and 2011-12 (72.7% and 57.1% respectively).
 
The proportion of adults who were overweight or obese in general increased with age. Two in five (41.2%) young adults aged 18-24 years were overweight or obese. By age 35-44 years, two thirds (67.5%) adults were overweight or obese and by the age of 65-74 years, the proportion had increased to just over three quarters (76.7%).

Information gathered from the Australian Bureau Of Statistics.

Greater Brisbane: 62.9% of adults are overweight or obese. Gold Coast: 61.6% of adults are overweight or obese. (29 Jan 2018) (https://cancerqld.org.au/news/queensland-regions-hit-heavy-soaring-obesity-rates/)

I am asking to change the criteria for being able to gain Government Funded Bariatric Surgery for low income families or those that would most benefit from the surgery. Even if a certain number of people are done a year as with the current amount done through the Public Waiting system is 250+ per year who have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, Could it be changed for X amount of people per year from X age group or even with ailments which would benefit from the Weight Loss, Or even certain weight and above.

I understand that this would make a back log of those needing the surgery but the lives it would change, For me personally I would be able to get around better with my Daughter and enjoy riding a bike with her, I would be more social and want to get outside more. I could potentially get back to working with dogs as I suffer with chronic back pain due to the weight that I carry around. I have become a qualified Personal Trainer in an attempt to shift the weight which unfortunately was temporary weight loss.

So I am asking for signatures from those that would be interested to see a change in the Queensland Bariatric Surgery Funding to allow those that are obese - morbidly obese to be able to change their life around with the help of the Government Funding.

Please help us..