Healthy women are demanding gastric bands to stay thin, reveal cosmetic surgery companies

A few week's into 2011 and thousands of New Year dieters will already have slipped and raided the cupboards for treats.

But instead of starting again or heading to the gym, it seems many are turning to private surgeons in hope of a 'quick fix.' Michael Dermody said he has had a request for gastric surgery from a woman with a BMI of 19, which means she was borderline underweight

Michael Dermody, Director of Cosmetic Bliss, which offers procedures in the Czech Republic, said his company followed UK guidelines and only considered obese people for a gastric band fitting.

However, they were turning down around 30 patients a month who are too healthy to qualify for weight loss surgery.

'When I tell them we can't help them, they are often quite disappointed,' he told the Mail Online.

'They assume they can get anything they want if it's done privately. I explain that they  wouldn't expect us to cut off their left arm if they decided they didn't like it. This is the same idea.'