Cardiff and Vale NHS weight loss plan for operations
Obese people will have to complete weight loss programmes before they can have operations, if proposals by a Welsh health board are approved.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board also says requiring smokers to go on courses to help them give up before surgery may save over £400,000.
It would not apply to cancer patients or people needing emergency treatment.
The board would have to cut costs by £90m to break even in the next financial year.
Caroline Evans reports.