Snow White

After countless consultations he finally agreed to a referral last Friday. I spoke with the receptionist today who said there isn't a letter yet. Okay that's fine. We are still under a week, plus bank holiday Monday. But, I do want it sent out asap. So frustrating!

__________________

Mel






Melissa Austin Foreman on Facebook if you would like to add me. xxxxxxxx

Sharonimo

I would give him at least 2 weeks before you start hassling, to be honest. GPs are very busy and this time of year with bank holidays and winter flu and infections they are likely to be even more so.

For me, I was in the same position this time last year. My GP saw me for an appointment in Jan 2011 and *he* suggested to me that I should go for weight loss surgery.

I still put on my signature that I was "referred January 2011" and that is what I tell people and what I usually think in my head ..... but it did take my GP two weeks to get around to writing his letter to the surgeon at the Whittington, so the official referral (as far as Whit Hosp are concerned) was Feb 2011.

Then it can take a long time to get funding -- my GP did not even apply until August and approval came thru in September 2011 ....... it would not have helped much if it had been before that, due to very long hospital waiting times. (It was 6 months before I attended an "information session" in June 2011 and 9 months before I got to see a consultant surgeon in September 2011.)

Just be a bit more patient with your GP and the whole process ;-)

It is something life changing that is actually worth waiting for !!!

__________________
My condition at referral:
BMI above 50, Type 2 Diabetes, High BP, osteo-arthritis, para-umbilical stomach hernia, asthma, chronic rhinitis, mild sleep apnoea

Referred by GP: January 2011
Information day: 9 June 2011, first appointment with consultant: 12 September 2011, surgery review: 16 January 2012

Provisional surgery date: 10 April 2012

Snow White

Thanks! I was thinking about 2 weeks was probably reasonable. I suppose now that I got him to finally do it I am feeling impatient. I know it takes ages after. I was turned down once because my bmi was under 50. So, my gp wouldn't try to refer again unless I gained weight. It's been going on for months to get here again. Lol

__________________

Mel






Melissa Austin Foreman on Facebook if you would like to add me. xxxxxxxx

Caren

bless ya, my doc wont refer me till i have my sleep apnoea results, and probably then only if they're positive, wish they would hurry up lol xxx

__________________























Dietician 10th November 2011
sleep apnoea test 8th December 2011
Sleep Apnoea results 9th December 2011 (inconclusive)
Embletta test 22nd December 2011 awaiting results
6th January 2012 its official, im a hosehead
Wednesday 25th January Referral sent
Tuesday 21st February 2012 funding refused

TwinkleTwinkle

Once you are referred you can start to lose some weight if you are uncomfortable. Now you have been recorded as having a BMI of over 50 you can relax. Good Luck, honey xxx

__________________

Snow White

Thanks guys. It's such a frustrating process. The surgeon that does it appears to be trying to get his list down. So, I'm anxious to see him.

__________________

Mel






Melissa Austin Foreman on Facebook if you would like to add me. xxxxxxxx

MissyMustDoIt

hey...we started our journeys on the same day!!

last fri the doc advised she would refer me and id recieve a call in 7 days to make the 1st weight management app....

good luck, we can compare dates lol xx

__________________
**to 'be' a patient...i need to 'be' patient**
18 years of dieting....
South Staffs PCT
BMI-45.2

30.12.11 - saw doctor and asked for referral for Bariatric Surgery.
13.1.12 - chased up referral, refused weight management as BMI not 45+
17.1.12 - saw doc, read letter of refusal, bloods requested, new weight/height to be measured
18.1.12 - bloods for trh/diabetes,cholesterol etc....awaiting results BMI now 44.9 (still not 45)
2.2.12 - next appointment with nurse, get results of bloods and check weight again....will i have a BMI of 45????
2.2.12 - BMI now 45.2, referral being put in, but do i want or am i ready for surgery? confused.com!
6.2.12 - 2nd referral sent to Heartlands (weight management) will i be accepted this time?

Snow White

Fabulous! Hopefully we both hear soon. xx

__________________

Mel






Melissa Austin Foreman on Facebook if you would like to add me. xxxxxxxx

MissyMustDoIt

ive been reading online for the past 4 hrs and have come to the conclusion that i dont meet the criteria and i will be refused funding....so with that in mind, im calling them tomorrow....id rather know a 'no' asap than a 'yes' asap if you know what i mean...

ill keep your company though until that time lol xx

__________________
**to 'be' a patient...i need to 'be' patient**
18 years of dieting....
South Staffs PCT
BMI-45.2

30.12.11 - saw doctor and asked for referral for Bariatric Surgery.
13.1.12 - chased up referral, refused weight management as BMI not 45+
17.1.12 - saw doc, read letter of refusal, bloods requested, new weight/height to be measured
18.1.12 - bloods for trh/diabetes,cholesterol etc....awaiting results BMI now 44.9 (still not 45)
2.2.12 - next appointment with nurse, get results of bloods and check weight again....will i have a BMI of 45????
2.2.12 - BMI now 45.2, referral being put in, but do i want or am i ready for surgery? confused.com!
6.2.12 - 2nd referral sent to Heartlands (weight management) will i be accepted this time?

Snow White

Don't lose hope! Each trust seems to be a law unto themselves. Hopefully, you get a good result.

__________________

Mel






Melissa Austin Foreman on Facebook if you would like to add me. xxxxxxxx

MissyMustDoIt

thanks, i called the booking line today and they said they hadnt yet received my referral, so i called the docs and they said it was sent last fri..and to wait till monday and to call then...

xx

__________________
**to 'be' a patient...i need to 'be' patient**
18 years of dieting....
South Staffs PCT
BMI-45.2

30.12.11 - saw doctor and asked for referral for Bariatric Surgery.
13.1.12 - chased up referral, refused weight management as BMI not 45+
17.1.12 - saw doc, read letter of refusal, bloods requested, new weight/height to be measured
18.1.12 - bloods for trh/diabetes,cholesterol etc....awaiting results BMI now 44.9 (still not 45)
2.2.12 - next appointment with nurse, get results of bloods and check weight again....will i have a BMI of 45????
2.2.12 - BMI now 45.2, referral being put in, but do i want or am i ready for surgery? confused.com!
6.2.12 - 2nd referral sent to Heartlands (weight management) will i be accepted this time?

Snow White

That's great! I think you're gp is much more on the ball than mine. I stopped myself calling today. Maybe tomorrow. Lol

__________________

Mel






Melissa Austin Foreman on Facebook if you would like to add me. xxxxxxxx

mariew

i went to see my doc on the wednesday after xmas (28th) about a referral for a different matter, I had a letter back from the hospital on 31st. I was amazed to say the least! I wish my op had been that quick lol
Good luck hun, I know what a massive fight you've had on your hands. xx

__________________
Marie x
Gp referral Nov 2009
Weight management Feb 2010
Group sessions with dietitian and psychologist Feb-April 2011
Appt with endocrinologist March 2011
MDT meeting May 2011 (refused surgery)
2nd MDT July 2011 (referred)
Appt with surgeon 1st Sept 2011
Pre op assessment 15th Nov 2011
Day of surgery 19th Nov 2011

Lost 11lb pre op diet.
26/11--Week 1 -9lb
03/12--week 2 -8lb
10/12--week 3 -2lb
17/12--week 4 -6lb
24/12--week 5 -4lb
31/12--week 6 -4lb
07/01--week 7 -5lb
14/01--week 8 -1lb
21/01--week 9 -3lb
28/01--week 10 -5lb
04/02 --week 11 -2lb
11/02 --week 12 -3lb = -52lb since op.

Snow White

That's excellent! Mine sat on my last referral for over a month. I know it's gonna take some calls to light a fire under him. x

__________________

Mel






Melissa Austin Foreman on Facebook if you would like to add me. xxxxxxxx

angiemason

i agree with snow white all pct's are different don't give up and i never hit 50bmi and here i am 6 weeks post op xx

__________________
angie