The Society For Obesity and Bariatric Anaesthesia
About us
The Society for Obesity and Bariatric Anaesthesia (SOBA UK) is a UK professional society dedicated to improving anaesthesia and perioperative care for people living with obesity.
Obesity affects an increasing proportion of people undergoing surgery and presents challenges across all areas of anaesthetic and perioperative practice. SOBA UK brings together healthcare professionals with an interest in improving the quality, safety and experience of care for this population.
What we do
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Developing and promoting evidence-based guidance and best practice
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Providing education and professional development
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Sharing new evidence, research and innovation
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Supporting research, audit and quality improvement
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Providing a forum for discussion, collaboration and exchange of ideas
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Advocating for high-quality, respectful and equitable perioperative care for people living with obesity
Our History
SOBA UK began in 2008 as the Society of Bariatric Anaesthetists, founded by Dr Nick Kennedy and Dr John Cousins. The Society was created to bring together anaesthetists developing expertise in bariatric surgery and to share that knowledge more widely across anaesthetic practice.
As the Society developed, its focus broadened beyond bariatric surgery to the perioperative care of people living with obesity across all specialties, becoming the Society for Obesity and Bariatric Anaesthesia (SOBA UK).
For many years, SOBA UK operated as a specialist society of the Association of Anaesthetists, whose support helped the Society develop and grow. In 2026, SOBA began operating independently of the Association, marking a new chapter in our development.
Governance
SOBA UK is governed by its Constitution, which sets out the Society’s aims, membership, committee structure and arrangements for the conduct of its business.
Read the SOBA UK Constitution