charliegirl
New Member
Hi everyone, I am here to tell my story in the hope it will give encouragement and hope to others going down the route of bariatric surgery on the NHS.
Exactly 21 weeks ago today I approached my GP about surgery, yes I know its not that long ago is it?? I had tried for over two years with my GP to loose weight, the usual slimming classes, Reductil, Orlistat and Food for thought weight mangement courses all of which failed miserablly. I was gaining weight every single week and with high blood pressure and poor sleeping I was not a happy person.
I was originally advised by the PCT that my application would be refused and that they would probably request two years weight management at either Hope or Aintree hospital. This in fact was an error on behalf of the PCT she should of said at my local clinic in Penwortham who had just started a weight management clinic. However, as she had said Hope or Aintree my GP asked if I could be referred whilst awaiting the outcome from the PCT and this stoke of good luck got me on the road to surgery. I saw Dr New the same week the PCT turned my application and suggested two years weight management. Dr New thought I would be suitable for surgery but could not decide if banding or bypass and said he would refer me to a specialist in that area and I then had my second stroke of luck. My referral letter to Mr Ammori went missing, I contacted PALS to find out what was going on and by chance (the second bit of luck) they contacted Mr Ammori's private secretary Louisa. She was my angel sent from heaven. She took over and organised my appointment with Mr Ammori and pushed for the results of my sleep apnea tests, she sent everything extremely quickly to the PCT by fax and then supported me daily whilst we waited and she nagged and I nagged the PCT. Finally I got a call from Louisa saying that funding had been approved but I could not have surgery with Mr Ammori I would have to attend Spire Regency hospital in macclesfield and start all over again waiting for appointments for surgeons etc. I was devasted.
I spent two days crying as Louisa was saying I could have the op in two weeks with Mr Ammori and the PCT were saying no you have to attend the Regency and there is a 2-3 month back log for an appointment to see a new surgeon. On the third day I pulled myself together and started to research. I contacted the department of health about a patient's right to choose where they attend for surgery. I was told if the hospital carried out the procedure and was on a list that they showed me then the PCT could not stop me having it there. I then contacted the head of commissioning, I had already fired off a complaint to them about wasting NHS money duplicating tests and consultations etc. I forwarded a copy of the email from the department of health and the very next day I received a call to say I could have it with Mr Ammori at the Spire in Manchester.
Then it was action stations, Louisa needed a copy of them saying it was ok and we struggled a bit to get that, they finally agreed to fax it over and before I knew it I was having a pre op on the thursday and going in Spire on saturday morning! I am now four days post op!....I never got time to enjoy the fact I had been given funding....lol...which is just typical.
I ahve to say it might sound easy when you read this but I had 5 letters from different departments working on this go missing in the post. My two strokes of luck were getting the info from the PCT which led me to Hope Hospital and Lousia. I know I have been very very lucky indeed.
Worn out now so will continue later from when I arrived at the hiospital....not much more to say but this girl needs a rest....xx
Exactly 21 weeks ago today I approached my GP about surgery, yes I know its not that long ago is it?? I had tried for over two years with my GP to loose weight, the usual slimming classes, Reductil, Orlistat and Food for thought weight mangement courses all of which failed miserablly. I was gaining weight every single week and with high blood pressure and poor sleeping I was not a happy person.
I was originally advised by the PCT that my application would be refused and that they would probably request two years weight management at either Hope or Aintree hospital. This in fact was an error on behalf of the PCT she should of said at my local clinic in Penwortham who had just started a weight management clinic. However, as she had said Hope or Aintree my GP asked if I could be referred whilst awaiting the outcome from the PCT and this stoke of good luck got me on the road to surgery. I saw Dr New the same week the PCT turned my application and suggested two years weight management. Dr New thought I would be suitable for surgery but could not decide if banding or bypass and said he would refer me to a specialist in that area and I then had my second stroke of luck. My referral letter to Mr Ammori went missing, I contacted PALS to find out what was going on and by chance (the second bit of luck) they contacted Mr Ammori's private secretary Louisa. She was my angel sent from heaven. She took over and organised my appointment with Mr Ammori and pushed for the results of my sleep apnea tests, she sent everything extremely quickly to the PCT by fax and then supported me daily whilst we waited and she nagged and I nagged the PCT. Finally I got a call from Louisa saying that funding had been approved but I could not have surgery with Mr Ammori I would have to attend Spire Regency hospital in macclesfield and start all over again waiting for appointments for surgeons etc. I was devasted.
I spent two days crying as Louisa was saying I could have the op in two weeks with Mr Ammori and the PCT were saying no you have to attend the Regency and there is a 2-3 month back log for an appointment to see a new surgeon. On the third day I pulled myself together and started to research. I contacted the department of health about a patient's right to choose where they attend for surgery. I was told if the hospital carried out the procedure and was on a list that they showed me then the PCT could not stop me having it there. I then contacted the head of commissioning, I had already fired off a complaint to them about wasting NHS money duplicating tests and consultations etc. I forwarded a copy of the email from the department of health and the very next day I received a call to say I could have it with Mr Ammori at the Spire in Manchester.
Then it was action stations, Louisa needed a copy of them saying it was ok and we struggled a bit to get that, they finally agreed to fax it over and before I knew it I was having a pre op on the thursday and going in Spire on saturday morning! I am now four days post op!....I never got time to enjoy the fact I had been given funding....lol...which is just typical.
I ahve to say it might sound easy when you read this but I had 5 letters from different departments working on this go missing in the post. My two strokes of luck were getting the info from the PCT which led me to Hope Hospital and Lousia. I know I have been very very lucky indeed.
Worn out now so will continue later from when I arrived at the hiospital....not much more to say but this girl needs a rest....xx
