Hi Joanne,
Welcome to the WLS forum!
I personally had to wait around 2 months from referral by my GP, to the date of my first appointment with my obesity consultant. This first appointment will no doubt be the first of many.
There really is no definitive time scale; it is highly variable from one PCT to the next, different consultants, different criteria, different participation required etc.
It seems you may need to attend a weight management clinic for a set time: I didn't need to. However, I had to see a dietician, an exercise specialist, have a respiratory test for sleep apnoea, bloods done and have 2 further appointments with my consultant (all within the course of around 9 months) before he then applied to my PCT for funding.
I was lucky and had my funding application approved first time, as I nicely fitted into the criteria my PCT caters to. Some on here have had funding refused (& some more than once) so have had to appeal or reapply.
I have now got my first of at least 2 appointments through from the hospital that will be performing the op; the first a group 'education' session that will cover different types of WLS, including benefits and complications. The second is with the consultant surgeon and others in his team to assess my suitability for the op.
As you can see, you need to be patient (I'm not, so it's hard!)...you will be in this for the long haul, not a quick fix! However, it will be worth it, as there are loads of fabulous people in this forum who have done brilliantly after their WLS, and who have given us the benefit of their experience by charting their progress (highs & lows), to show it really is worth it.
Hope this helps a little...good luck!
xxxx
