The question is asked –“Should the NHS pay for tummy tuck ops?” (The Press, July 19). I would say a definite no, to this or any other cosmetic surgery.

The country is going through a tough time financially; if people want to improve their looks, figure or whatever, and perhaps, like Allison Watson, have the cash to throw away, then fine – but there are far, far too many treatments and operations that are medically necessary, and these should always take precedence over ops for cosmetic reasons.

Overweight people have only themselves to blame for their unattractive condition – it takes years of dedicated gluttony to produce some of the sights you see now in this country, and to expect the cash-strapped NHS to contribute in any part to undoing the self-inflicted damage is totally unreasonable.

We are fast catching up with the States, and people who seem hell-bent on eating, drinking or smoking their way to ill-health should learn to live with the consequences, or pay for any treatment required.

If excess skin is affecting ex-fatties’ self-esteem and mental well-being, it should hopefully stop them risking further problems by so-called comfort eating and starting the whole nasty cycle over again.

Heather Causnett, Escrick Park Gardens, Escrick, York.