ICAWM
Member
Oh I'm so fed up and I don't know what to do.
Get comfy (it ain't a short story). I was referred by consultant at sleep clinic direct to Kings in 2012. I had my group session with them in March 2013 and told I'd see consultant in 6-8weeks. Got required blood tests done and waited.
My appointment came through for OCTOBER 2013. I called, confirmed that was earliest I'd be seen. Tried several times for cancellation, no joy.
As is often the case with Law of the Sod, I ended up in hospital with breathing problems and couldn't attend (different hospital). I called on the day to explain and next available appointment was MAY 2014.
I was already despairing.
In October 2013, I researched other providers and found out that BMI LOSS, Sudbury Clinic (part of Streamline Surgical) were doing nhs surgery with turnaround of a few short months. Leading consultants in bariatric field, starred in tv documentaries, I was so excited.
I had MDT session in December 2013, where I met dietician, anaesthetist, psychiatrist, surgeon amongst others and they confirmed I'd satisfied Tier 3 and approved me for Gastric Bypass which they hoped to do Feb/March.
You still with me, or you nodding off?!
March was looming and I'd still not heard so I started to call and get fobbed off, then email and hear nothing. After more calls and emails I received a letter to say that NHS hadn't signed their contract or something and they couldn't perform nhs procedures until they did. Due to administrative delays within nhs, they couldn't give indication of time. My options were to wait (but unknown how long) or ask GP to refer me elsewhere.
Well done for sticking with me so far...
Soooo, tears, tantrums and low mood followed. My tiny glimmer of hope was Kings, who I'd never been un-referred from. I attended today for appt with consultant. I saw no consultant. Saw a nice but very stressed nurse. She was delighted I had letter from other hospital confirming completed Tier 3 as she said that would speed up my treatment. Phew I thought. She said she'd put me on the list to see actual consultant in 9 months. She'd do that so I didn't get lost in system. NINE months.
So I gave blood results (that are over year old now) and of course they're no good. So got more taken today. She's worried that as I can't do two flights of stairs without getting breathless. She think he'll want me to see their cardiologist. Seriously, can anyone with BMI of 50+ do stairs without breathlessness?!
I asked the obvious - so this means I definitely won't get op this year. Maybe, just maybe next year.
So here I am. BMI now over 50 which is higher than before (and I don't think I'm shorter) and feeling more and more restricted, despondent and unhappy than ever.
I live in Kent, cannot afford private and just really need something good to happen for once. I really thought I'd have surgery this year to be on the right path leading towards my 40th next summer. It's no miracle cure, it'll take work and commitment from me, but now it seems so bleak.
And breathe. Ok, got that off my chest. Sorry for wittering but I'm so fed up and really don't know what else I can do. Any ideas?
Get comfy (it ain't a short story). I was referred by consultant at sleep clinic direct to Kings in 2012. I had my group session with them in March 2013 and told I'd see consultant in 6-8weeks. Got required blood tests done and waited.
My appointment came through for OCTOBER 2013. I called, confirmed that was earliest I'd be seen. Tried several times for cancellation, no joy.
As is often the case with Law of the Sod, I ended up in hospital with breathing problems and couldn't attend (different hospital). I called on the day to explain and next available appointment was MAY 2014.
I was already despairing.
In October 2013, I researched other providers and found out that BMI LOSS, Sudbury Clinic (part of Streamline Surgical) were doing nhs surgery with turnaround of a few short months. Leading consultants in bariatric field, starred in tv documentaries, I was so excited.
I had MDT session in December 2013, where I met dietician, anaesthetist, psychiatrist, surgeon amongst others and they confirmed I'd satisfied Tier 3 and approved me for Gastric Bypass which they hoped to do Feb/March.
You still with me, or you nodding off?!
March was looming and I'd still not heard so I started to call and get fobbed off, then email and hear nothing. After more calls and emails I received a letter to say that NHS hadn't signed their contract or something and they couldn't perform nhs procedures until they did. Due to administrative delays within nhs, they couldn't give indication of time. My options were to wait (but unknown how long) or ask GP to refer me elsewhere.
Well done for sticking with me so far...
Soooo, tears, tantrums and low mood followed. My tiny glimmer of hope was Kings, who I'd never been un-referred from. I attended today for appt with consultant. I saw no consultant. Saw a nice but very stressed nurse. She was delighted I had letter from other hospital confirming completed Tier 3 as she said that would speed up my treatment. Phew I thought. She said she'd put me on the list to see actual consultant in 9 months. She'd do that so I didn't get lost in system. NINE months.
So I gave blood results (that are over year old now) and of course they're no good. So got more taken today. She's worried that as I can't do two flights of stairs without getting breathless. She think he'll want me to see their cardiologist. Seriously, can anyone with BMI of 50+ do stairs without breathlessness?!
I asked the obvious - so this means I definitely won't get op this year. Maybe, just maybe next year.
So here I am. BMI now over 50 which is higher than before (and I don't think I'm shorter) and feeling more and more restricted, despondent and unhappy than ever.
I live in Kent, cannot afford private and just really need something good to happen for once. I really thought I'd have surgery this year to be on the right path leading towards my 40th next summer. It's no miracle cure, it'll take work and commitment from me, but now it seems so bleak.
And breathe. Ok, got that off my chest. Sorry for wittering but I'm so fed up and really don't know what else I can do. Any ideas?