Help - I'm new here!!

[grom]

Hi all :wave_cry:
not sure if I am using this post correctly but am sure someone will tell me if I'm not!!

I am planning to have a gastric band op but I am in the very early stages of research - not spoken to GP yet. I am happy to pay for the treatment but don't know where to start - so many places do it and the costs/aftercare vary so much.
Any advice gratefully received!!
Thanks
xx

 

[charliegirl]

Hi Grom and welcome to minis, you are in the right place for advice read through some of the Weight loss surgery threads there is loads on the band, bypass and a few on the gastric balloon. Ask any questions you want and someone will answer. I had the bypass on 8th november and feel great just now....look forward to getting to know all about you...xx

 

[hopelesscase]

befor you part with your hard earned cash.have you looked ast the guidlines for your PCT If you meet their criteris you may be able to get it done on the NHS. What is yr BMI and what area doe you live in?
welcome to minis

 

[grom]

Hiya
I do fit the criteria I reckon (E Lancs PCT) and my BMI is 45.I just don't want to have to wait ages now I have made my mind up - I want it NOW!! I will try my GP and see what she says but it seems that there are an awful lot of folks wanting surgery and not much dosh about!
xx

 

[phatgirl]

Hiya and welcome. You have come to the right place!

Yeah, the NHS route can be along one. However, it might be worth it to you in the long run since you want the band and will needs fills & x-rays after. a few people have self paid for the surgery but had a devil of a time paying for the fills and it is hard to get the NHS to help after the fact.

Anyway, have a good look around, many banders on here and their individual stories are very interesting. Let us know if we can help.

Good luck on your journey.

 

[*Sparkles*]

hello and welcome

 

[tesmaralda]

hi grom you definately have come to the right place for advice, I was new here a couple of weeks agon and they all make you feel so very welcome and don't mind answering your questions no matter how silly you think thay are. Hope you find the answers to what you are looking for, you really should try for funding on the NHS I know a lot of us have had a moan but thats probably because we all want it done asap too, but its a lot of money if you haven't got it and its the aftercare packages and fills and things that will soon mount up as PG said. Hope this has helped, and ask away as any research you can do before hand will only help your case as many GPs don't really knpow the process.

 

[j.u.s.t.l.i.z.]

Hiya
I do fit the criteria I reckon (E Lancs PCT) and my BMI is 45.I just don't want to have to wait ages now I have made my mind up - I want it NOW!! I will try my GP and see what she says but it seems that there are an awful lot of folks wanting surgery and not much dosh about!
xx

hi grom the nhs process takes longer, but it is worth it as you get life long after care, i waited to be done on the nhs as i simply could not afford the long term after care, and no 1 knows where they are financially going to be in say 10 years time.
good luck
liz x

 

[Silversurfer]

Hi Grom

Strangley i used to have a friend we called Grom
I went privately and had a bypass rather than a band, if you can afford it and are willing to pay its definately the better way, you wont have to wait a year, wont have to justify your decision to people who dont really care and privately your getting what your paying for rather than fitting into a general service through the NHS, though some here have testified that it was ok.
Personally i was like you, unwilling to wait and just wanted to get on with it.
Let us know what you decide, folks here will support you either way.

Richard

 

[Brunetteandred]

:welcome: Grom!

Yup, you have deffo come to the right place. I think you'll find more quality info, encouragement and support here than from any bariatric team or clinic.

 

[grom]

hey guys!

wow - thanks for all the replies!
Stupid question - how do I reply to someone in particular rather than a general message to everyone??

I have found a couple of places that seem reasonably priced and offer 12/24 months after care included in the price. Would be intererested to know what people think?
One is weight loss surgery group and the other is The Hospital Group (Dolan Park). Where did you go Silversurfer?

Now I need to figure out how to jazz up my profile ............................

 

[hopelesscase]

you need to have posted 50 posts to pm someone. as for jazzing up yr profile there is a link somewhere but dont ask me.lol
im sure someone will be along soon that knows though.
HC

 

[Lesleydb]

Hi and welcome to minis the people on here are so friendly and helpful and if you have a question no matter how daft you think it maybe there will always be someone to come along and help you so ask away.
Good Luck with your weightloss journey no matter what route you decide to take xx

 

[shelbell]

Hi Grom, welcome to mini's!

We've a few post op banders here who have used both THG at Dolan (although most at Dolan seem to have used the WGA package) and WLS Group too.

To find out how to do things on the forum have a look here -

Tutorials - MiniMins.com - Weight Loss Support Forum

 

[hopelesscase]

grom what part of lancs are you from.

 

[Isis]

Hi Grom and welcome to Minimins

Here's a link to a very easy to follow guide. Hope it helps you navigate the site. Any problems or questions please just shout up

http://www.minimins.com/introductions/46674-minis-guided-tour-minimins.html

Looks like you are getting great support and advice so far,

Lacey..xx

 

[grom]

hi hopeless case (I'm sure you're not!!) I'm in Haslingden

 

[Silversurfer]

wow - thanks for all the replies!
Stupid question - how do I reply to someone in particular rather than a general message to everyone??

I have found a couple of places that seem reasonably priced and offer 12/24 months after care included in the price. Would be intererested to know what people think?
One is weight loss surgery group and the other is The Hospital Group (Dolan Park). Where did you go Silversurfer?

Now I need to figure out how to jazz up my profile ............................

Hi Grom

I had a bypass and used healthier weight, they do banding too and are apparently very good at it !

Healthier Weight, Weight Loss Clinic UK. Obesity Surgery and Weight Loss Programmes (programs) - Weight loss surgery / programmes from UK weight loss clinic - Healthier Weight

Not sure why i chose them, i think though maybe it was because i liked the look of the place, the consultants credentials, the information available on there site and they seemed switched on when i called them ! so i felt confident going with them.

Hope this helps

Richard

 

[chel82]

hi there

im chel im fairly new to this site too i was banded 3 weeks ago by christiian de bruyne in brussels and def recommend him he has his odd critic for ethics but a huge fan base for his surgical ability and thats what matters to me, hes also a lot cheaper than uk. the hospital group WGA havnt got the best reputation for what iv read across the boards although some have had positive experiences from what iv heard most say if your going to use them go for the cheaper package cos there aftercare leaves alot to be desired. dr de bruynes aftercare is pay as you go 90quid for a fill and hes got clinics in edinborough, manchester, london, bristol and dublin monthly and iv emailed twice since op with just general questions and had replies within 12 hrs which is good compared to WGA from what iv heard

as for the nhs it really is postcode lottery. the NICE guidelines and PCT guidelines vary considerably my pct which is york area say bmi over 50 only and will only bypass so despite having bmi of 47 and meeting all other criteria i was refused. i was told if i appealed got local mp on case and basically made a freak show of myself in local paper they would backdown which i wasnt willing to do plus im impatient but it can be done

i swear i will fight them to the bitter end for my tummy tuck though which iv also been told by gp i will be refused for cos i paid private for op but again she said i have a case for appeal as i met nice guidelines at the time. get your self clued up on criteria etc and go in strong i wish now id have said i think i have sleep apnea which i think i may have cos that might have swung it for me so know the other conditions which affect cases, goodluck

 

[charliegirl]

Hi Chel welcome to minis, thanks for sharing your story, there are a few folk on here who have had the same surgeon as you and think highly of him. Looking forward to following your progress...xx