Waiting Lists / Tier 3 Question

[Birdie01]

Hi Everyone!

Does anyone know what the waiting time is at St Richards in West Sussex? I dont think you can just phone and ask, unless you have seen the bariatric surgeon at least? Does anyone know?

Also, i have a question, has anyone on here, previously been on the TIER 3 weight mangagement programme and not been given surgery in the end? If so, why? (If you dont mind me asking?)

 

[WitchInWorthing]

you can phone and ask what the wait times are, both to see a surgeon once you are referred and also what the wait time is from seeing the surgeon to getting the surgery. there will be variances as it will depend on individual circumstances, but they should be able to give you a current ballpark date.....

 

[Birdie01]

Yay! I got my letter through yesterday and it's exactly the same as the one online! ? so I already know which hospital I want - St Richards it is! ? so just have to wait again now for my first hospital appointment!

 

[Birdie01]

Have been told that my first appointment at St Richards for the MDT Assessment will only be around October / November ... UGHH! Such a long wait!! :cry:

Anyone know what happens at the MDT Assessment?

 

[fjsinc]

You will be seen by each member of the team. Psychologist, dietician, nurse practioner, medical doctor and anaesthetist who will assess you in the morning. Then you get sent of for lunch, during which time they discuss your case and make a decision. In the afternoon you will be told the result of the meeting and meet one of the surgeons.

When I had mine, my op was 18 weeks later, which was their target waiting time.

 

[Birdie01]

Thanks Fiona! 18 WEEKS - gee that sounds long and short at the same time! Just over 4 months, i guess it's not all bad then... i have waited this long already, another 4 months till the actual surgery won't kill me!

Looking at your signature you have done extremely well! Well done! Did you have a bypass? (I didnt see sorry!) What exercise program are you following, you are doing so consistently well, i hope my weight comes off as easy as yours has!

 

[fjsinc]

It seems like a lifetime at the time, but looking back it was quite a short wait really. I had my MDT in Oct 2012, can't quite believe. Its getting on for 2 years ago.

Thank you for the complement on my loss, I'm honestly not used to it, as I don't think its particually spectacular (we are always our worst critics). I've not had a dramatic loss, but was very steady.

I did have the bypass, and it was most definitely the procedure for me. I'm very happy with my result. I'm not loosing now, as I'm 16 weeks pregnant. This as far as I'm concerned is the best result from my op, as 2 years ago I was virtually infertile.

As for exercise, I started swimming after 6 weeks, and just swam and walked for the first 10 months. After that I felt more confident to join the gym, which I rather fell in love with. But I used it more for fitness than weight loss, as getting fitter is an even better feeling than getting thinner. I'm missing it at the moment.

 

[Birdie01]

Well congratulations!! :family2:That is totally awesome news and what a great gift for all your hard work and waiting! Being a mum is amazing and you will love every second of it!

About 3 years ago I was so desperate to have a baby, that i went to see my GP for the first time about weight loss, and to help me fall pregnant - to be honest i was quite naieve and didnt believe that my weight was causing any fertility issues, but so it turned out that it was and it was only when i lost 18kg and was finally under 100kg that i fell pregnant - okay i miscarried, but fell pregnant immediately after that and my little girl was born safely at 27 weeks (prem baby - but she is fine and healthy) Thank the Lord!

Anyway, all that weight that i lost before i fell pregnant came straight back on when i wasnt looking... it just appeared one morning in the mirror. Anyway, this is my time to get rid of it once and for all.

I noticed that you hadn't had a dramatic loss but i like the consistency, because that is how i normally lose weight, it is normally only 0.5-1kg a week - that's when i am trying my hardest and dieting like a freak - but it never lasts unfortunately. I am glad to hear that it is true, when you are thin exercise is addictive! That's what i want!

 

[Harley_Q]

Hi birdie01,

I went for a private consultation at Chichester on Monday for a band but he said I wasn't really suitable for a band, I need a bypass so I'm now waiting for my gp to refer me back to Chichester for nhs treatment! Good luck with your journey, hopefully it will be a quick one for us!

 

[Birdie01]

Hi Harley_Q

I'm sorry you got turned down for a band but if the surgeon was correct you will thank him later (plus you can save yourself a few ££)

Which surgeon did you see or was it a consultant? Whereabouts are you? Do you know if you have to go via the weight management program? If you do - don't be disheartened it takes a while but mentally it prepares you more than you realise until you get to the end. Anyway I'm looking forward to following your journey!

 

[Harley_Q]

I saw Mr Pring, he's a consultant and surgeon, he was so lovely. I don't really no where in the process I am, I've done the tier 3 thing (albeit without knowing it) so I don't no what happens next which makes me a bit nervous! I was so upset about the prospect of not having surgery soon I forgot to ask about what happens with the nhs side of things! I live in Portsmouth so not to far

 

[Willow4]

Hi Birdie01
Only 4 Months to your op, that will fly by. Wishing you all the best on your journey.

Hi Harley_Q
Think this is the why they seem to be going now, as I was only offered the Sleeve or Bypass.
Wishing you all the best on your journey.

Elaine

 

[Birdie01]

Harley_Q - that's great news that you've passed through the lengthy stage of weight management - understandably you felt upset when your request was declined. If your GP has done the referral it shouldn't be too long till your assessment! Maybe we will be there together on the same day!

Thanks Elaine.. 4 months is nothing... Provided I get accepted for the surgery. Fingers crossed!

 

[Willow4]

Hi Fjsinc
Congratulations on your pregnancy, and doing really well with your weight, what a great achievement.

Elaine

 

[natclaire33)]

Hi Harley_Q

I to am from Portsmouth and on the wls journey. I did the tier 3 (body morph) in 2012 and at the time didn't meet the criteria for surgery because the pct didn't have the same guidelines as Nice have. To cut a long story short I started nagging my GP at the beginning of the year, I wanted him to sen me to the hospital to have a chat with the bariatric team.

In march this year i was refered to the bariatric physician but didn't get a appointment with her till the beginning of april. My gp was told to do a referal to the bariatric team at QA hospital, I saw the team which consisted of the consultant, dietitian, nurse specialist, there is also a physcologist ( I didn't have to see her) this was the end of may.

I am now nine weeks away from having my surgery in portsmouth, so in total from seeing the consultant till when I have my surgery will be around 16 weeks. If you go to St Richards for your wls they may have different waiting times.

Your gp should do the referal fairly quickly but they may well refer you to the bariatric team in portsmouth unless you specify that you want St Richards. I would say keep on going for the surgery you will get there and it will one of the best decisions that you make/take

 

[Harley_Q]

I got a letter from Chichester today saying I'd been referred and asking me to complete a questionnaire and good diary! Anyone else done this? What happens next?
I'm terrified of writing something down which makes them say no!

 

[Birdie01]

Hi Harley_Q
Oh gosh I'm waiting for something from Chichester too.. Haven't had anything like that yet - although, when I called up to ask when I might get my MDT assessment the woman asked me if I'd completed a questionnaire.. So I told her I hadn't but I thought that Why Weight had and she said that was fine! :-/

I'm expecting the same thing now.. Just be honest is all I suggest - it's annoying that we are always feeling like they are out to trick us or catch us out! (That's the same thing I just realised!)

 

[fjsinc]

Just be honest, it really is the best policy. I've never known someone rejected when they were honest. But have known 2 people who had their ops put on hold because of dishonesty.

You have been referred because you need their help, they are there to help you. I promise, there are no trick questions.

The questionnaire and food diary is the standard first contact from Chichester. After they receive them they put you on the waiting list for your MDT.

 

[Harley_Q]

Daft question I know but what's MDT?

 

[fjsinc]

MDT stands for multidisciplinary team meeting. It's the day you get assessed by the whole team.