Goingforgold

Hi Gerry

That is fantastic news. It is so reassuring to have such a kind GP like that, one who actually cares about you.
Well all looks positive for you and hopefully, within the next 6 months, maybe you will be on the losing side.

If you do a google search for "wls forums" you come up with a few hits. they are very good and informative, especially about gastric bypass.

Take care
Ruth

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Gerry

Many thanks for the hint Ruth, have found what you meant. Shame it's a pay site. I think that puts people off.

Thanks for your kind words and support too - very much appreciated.

Have you had a GBP yourself or banding or something else?

Hope I'm not being too nosey.

Gerry

Taz

I'm so pleased that your docs visit was so possitive, hope you get approved for the funding.

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Gerry

Thank you Taz. I hope so too.

Gerry

Goingforgold

I think i just deleted a post...if not, sorry if this is duplicated...

There is a website you can use without paying, its called wlsfriends. You can get loads of info here.

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nefernefruaten

hi gerry,
i had my gastric bypass on the 1st of feb, best decision i ever made, i got it done on the nhs and my bmi was 45 and i was 22 stone, i didnt get the breathing tube wen i was awake, the op really wasnt too bad and i was out of hospital in 3 days, ive lost over 4 stone since then, i eat normal food now and ive never had dumping or been sick as long as u chew well and dont eat too fast u wont get sick!!!
as ruth says at first u get what i call head hunger!!!! ur belly doesnt want the food but ur head craves it badly... ul be pleased to know that passes in time!!!! anything u wanna ask please feel free!!!!
Donna xx

Gerry

Thanks so much for your very encouraging reply Donna, and well done on your weight loss so far. That really is brilliant going in just eight weeks - well done you!! I love reading up about people who have had it done already, both recently and in the past. Everyone seems so positive. My 'friend' (whom I was at school with) was rather negative about it at times, and when she got a hint that I may be interested, started saying things like "I wouldn't recommend it" or "there is loads they don't tell you" etc, and that started worrying me, but I have read so much positivity from all the people on this site who have been through it that I am feeling very positive about it myself.

I think hubby is a bit worried that I will loose weight and then run off with another guy (can't see that happening, people like him are hard to find - he does so much for me, where as most men want waiting on).

My BMI is 46.4 and I'm about 21 stone (although I did weigh myself this morning and I am down to 20st 12lbs 4oz, but then I do often fluctuate, pretty much like most people I guess). I wish I could loose it by diet alone, but dieting has never worked for me .

I think I am going to look into keeping a blog about my decision to have a Gastric Bypass. Never done a blog before, so need to find a site where I can do it. If anyone has any ideas of non-paying sites where I can create a blog then I'd be grateful to be pointed in the right direction.

Gerry

nessaantonella

Hiya Gerry
You poor poor thing, my heart goes out to you.....
I myself is just about to have surgery..... It has taken me a year from when my GP and I firtst discussed the possibility of gastric surgery....
It will be quite a battle ahead of you with the PCT to fund your surgery... but if you keep focused I am sure that you will be able to get it through the NHS.... I myself have a very cronic version of Brittle Asthma and this has caused me lack of mobility since suffering a near fatal asthma on 2005, this inturn has increased my weight by nearly 9 stone.... even with this life threatening condition is was a battle and indeed the decision in the end was that of a PCT's Appeal pannel...... But with your illness and I am sure they will see the way that the weight effects your life and then offer the surgery.

Good luck hunny.

Nessa XX

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Gerry

It's awful that people should have to fight to get this surgery, which in the end is basically a life saver. It's like discrimination. We are discriminated against if we are big by being called names, yet when we make the decision to take a very brave step to help us overcome many problems by having a GBP, they discriminate against us again. I wonder if we said we were not going to fund the NHS by giving our National Insurance premiums, what their reaction would be to that. We get no choice. People who do drugs, smoke or drink themselves into a state where they rely on the NHS get treatment, so why shouldn't people who have weight issues. As we all know, we don't all just sit there stuffing our faces, despite the way many like to think we do. Many of us who are on the large side are like it because of other problems that mean we can't exercise.

I'm prepared to appeal if I am initially turned down, but hopefully I won't have a problem - I think my friend got hers done straight away with no need to appeal.

Fingers crossed.

Gerry

nessaantonella

I have everything crossed for you, I do hope that you do get it straight away, when I first went for it I was deemed not heavy enough, and my POSTCODE was not in the funding bracket... So the odds were against me....
It seems that they do take notice if there is something else wrong with you other than the weight.....
GOOD LUCK HUNY
xx

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nefernefruaten

hey gerry dont worry about negativity from your friend maybe theres a little jealousy there?????
dont get me wrong things do change and lots of food i loved b4 dont taste nice anymore and food is def not the pleasure it used to be but the sacrifice was worth it. there are pro's and cons but the pro's def have it lol....
maybe i was just lucky but i got mine on the nhs with no probs at all! im from london wer are u????
Dxxxx

Taz

I think sometimes people don't understand. They don't understand what it's like to be overweight and the some think it's just a simple case of diet and exersize. Others don't like change. they want you to stay the same, fear that if you change physically tou won't be the person they know and love.

What they don't realise is that the person they know and love is desperately unhappy and at the end of their rope, feeling trapped with no way out. I have lost my weight with diet and exersize but I have seen how my friend has tried this route and it has not worked for her. I fully support her with her gastric band mission (she now has an appointment with the consultant. I'm so excited for her!) as I know it is right for her and she will be a much happier person at the end of it.

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TKDBEAuty

hi Gerry! great news from your gp.... i had gastric bypass done 4 weeks ago... lost 33 lbs in that time, and op was done under nhs. i donr remeber anything being put down my throat,nor did i have to swallow anything afterwards that was awful. the only thing i didnt like was the liquid paracetamol for pain. had surgery by keyhole on a thursday evening, out of hospital on satrday morning. i weighed 362 lbs day b4 op.. or 21 stone b4 op....... i dont like the o2 mask they have over you when you wake up from op... i tried to take it off .. but after a lil while they removed it and put a o2 tube sitting on your nose... much better.i know first hand how u feel.... or felt s few months ago...... but there is hope.. .always hope... you keep positive....... dont give up and dont let anyone make you feel diiferently about yourself or your prospectve of gastricbypass. my hubby was well against it for some time........ he did not want me to have it dne because he felt i didnt gorge myself on food.... but i knew in my heart that the only chance i had at living a healthy long life for him, our future , and family was to get the op.... and after lots of research, soul searching, ect....... it happened. and my husband was there for me through it all.. and still is my best support. i was reffered in july 2007... had my surgery 5th march 2008....... and will always remeber that day... even as i went to meet the consultant who would be doing the surgery.. i remeber walking up to the hospital.... tears falling down and thinking to myself... today is the beginning of my new life..... nothing will be the same again..... they were tears of joy. of freedom to be myself. i have always felt there was a thinner me in here dying to get out..... and im right there is and she is slowly being released. keep on your journey...... research the pros and cons of op... there are risk in everything we do in life... but for me the risk of dying at an early age, leaving my husband a young widow was greater than the risk of op. even the surgeon said you are at risk if you get the surgery... and your at risk without it. im doing well... feeling great since surgery.. .was even back to work a week later..... im determined to be healthier, to survive and live life to the fullest........ my journey of life truely began on the day of my op. good luck to you gerry...... cant wait to hear more from you.. .as i know myself the mixture of emotions that go with this journey. will be keeping an eye on your post to see your progress.

Gerry

D

I'm in Surrey, just outside of London. I have a postcode that comes within the Kingston area, but I live a bit further out than that. I've checked on the BOSPA site and we aparently come under the NICE Guidelines, which means that if you have a BMI of 35 - 40 and you have health problems that are affected by your weight, then you should get it. If you have a BMI over 40, you get it anyway, even without other health problems. My BMI is 46.4 so I guess that qualifies me, plus I have other health problems too. Still, not counting my chickens before they are hatched. I will have to wait and see what the doctor says later this month about the funding (assuming she has been able to find out anything by then).

Where did you have your op done? I think my friend said she had to go to Charring Cross hospital. Is that where you had yours done?

Gerry

Gerry

Yours is just the kind of support that people need Taz. Being there for them because you understand how unhappy they are the way they are.

I used to try and kid myself that "I may be fat, but I'm happy, and that if anyone else has a problem with my size then it's their problem and not mine" I used to spout that off to all and sundry. Now I know I was just kidding myself. I knew that no matter what I tried, I just couldn't loose the weight, so I tried to give the impression that I didn't have a problem with it.

Now I am feeling really positive about having the op and loosing weight. I can't wait to swap clothes with my daughters and be able to buy clothes from any shop, not just 'plus size' shops.

Good luck to your friend with her op.

Gerry