Newbie needing advice!

[Mrs Norris]

Hello,
I have just found this site and after a little look around think you lovely people might be able to help me.
I am almost 40 (eeeek!), been over weight my entire life and now have a BMI of 45 (highest was 49.4). Over the past 5 - 6 years I have lost weight with Slimming World only to fall off the wagon and re-gain it.
I am now coming to the conclusion, as many of you did that my last and final hope rests with WLS. After my initial research I think a gastric band would suit me best.
I am hoping to get NHS funding and am nervous about this. I had a very distraught appointment with my GP 3 years ago (on one of the many 'rock bottoms' I hit with regard to my weight). I was seeking a specialist obesity referral, at the time hopeful of some sort of counselling, only to be told nothing like that existed, in my distraught state I said that I was a step away for asking for surgery to be told 'it doesn't exist' (ie not on the NHS). My research in the last few days shows that there is a specialist obesity clinic (both medical and surgical interventions) at Luton and Dunstable hospital, & they accept referrals from Northamptonshire, where I live. 'If only' I was referred there 3 years ago! :cry:
Apologies for the long intro! I would be very grateful for any advice/tips about how to secure NHS funding. I believe that Northamptonshire pct request that patients meet NICE guidelines which I do. Will they 'accept' my various attempts at losing weight with SW or will I still have to attend the new 12 week weight loss programmes? (not available 3 years ago) Any information, ideas most welcome, I would especially like to hear from anybody in Northamptonshire, to find out where and when you were referred.

Thank you so much for reading this, looking forward to getting to know you all over the coming months.

 

[dottychic]

Sorry Im from Manchester so cant help with much in the way of advice, Just wanted to say Hi and welcome x

 

[Emma Louise]

Hello and wellcome!

I would imagine that you would still have to go through the weight loss programme. I had been on every slimming pill, seen several dietitions and also was a member of slimming world before i went for weight loss surgery through NHS, but they said i still had to do the programme.

Your route may be different so dont take it as a given but i think quiet a few people on here have been with a weight loss clinic for months or even a year before they are approvd for surgery.

Best thing to do is go to your doc and ask him loads of questions, write them all down now so you dont forget them. Have a full and frank conversation hun.

Good luck xxxx

 

[Calliope]

Welcome...

Hi and welcome!

I am a Luton & Dunstable patient but I was not compelled 'per se ' to complete a 12 week weight loss programme when I was referred in May this year. This must be something that has been introduced recently and if this is so, then I believe that they would expect you to.

They are strict on meeting referral requirements; BMI <35, tried weight loss programmes including dietician referral. I was initially refused because I had not seen a hospital dietician. Also any medical conditions such as sleep apnoea or diabetes may strengthen your case for referral.


There are many people on here who may be able to assist you regarding your queries(e.g Lisa X and Soon to Slim Sue) as they have a Northants + Luton & Dunstable connection. This site is a font of all knowledge!

Wishing you all the best

 

[sugga]

Hi im from Sheffield but wanted to welcome you along. Someone will be along to help try to sort you out so dont worry. xxx

 

[lotsabeefy]

Hi i'm from Blackpool and a bypasser so cant really help, but welcome there are lots of guys from L&D on here and i'm sure they will be along to help soon xxx

 

[Neen]

Hiya ! Lovely to have another bander in the making on board!
Firstly, I hope that you have changed your doctor...that is a horrendous way for a doctor to act.
You can go on the NHS website and put in your postcode to find doctors that are in your area , registering new patients.
You just go in to the new practice and fill in a registration form and you do not have to say why you wish to change docs.
Please do this if you haven't already because you need a doctor on your side for this.

As for banding, well ask anything you like! I have a couple banding threads linked under my signature and myself and the other banders on them will be more than happy to give you a realistic objective view of what having a band is actually about.
Looking forward to getting to know you and helping you as much as I can make your band a success for you x

 

[charm55]

Hi and Welcome im from Milton Keynes.
I had a bypass done 4 weeks ago in Manchester.
Good Luck
Charmaine

 

[Leesh]

Hi there, welcome to the site, everyone here is lovely and full of advise. I have just had a band but privately because I was refused on the NHS, every PCT is different though so fingers crossed for you.

 

[daftmoo]

Hi and welcome, I was bypassed at the L&D 16 weeks ago. I didn't have to do the 12 week programe but I had been on all the diets, 2 different slimming tabs and the free weightwatchers deal. I'm diabetic (well actually nearly not and more lol). Dr VJ Mr Whitelaws side kick told me they don't do the bands there anymore because of the failure rate, don't know how true this is, just something to bear in mind.
Any questions feel free to ask

 

[lisa x]

Hi Mrs Norris.
I am in Northamptonshire..(I am in the wellingborough area)
The northamptonshire P.C.T does automatic funding if you hit the N.I.C.E criteria.
When your G.P sends in a request for funding is should take two weeks to find out ...
Your G.P will fill in a form for you..as long as you have done the diets and it has been documented ....it does say about the 12 week programme but that was not included (its only a box they have to tick)My G.P didn't even question it..and I don't believe the L& D require it...
My P.C.T gave me the choice of Luton and Dunstable(which is my old home town so more familiar to me also Luton is closer to me.
Or i could chose birmingham..(heartlands i think it was called??)But when i rang the waiting list had increased considerably.
By the way Lutons waiting list is about 9 months from g.p to surgery if everything is straight forward(eg you get past the psychologist and no other health problems)
You also have to prove you have done oristat or medication to help lose weight.
I had issues getting funding but that was because my G.P hindered the process at every point(I cant prove it but lets just say there was false referrals and delays in signing letters)
I had help from a friend on here...I would suggest you write a strong letter to attach to your application.
You need to get to 50 posts before you can privately message me...I would do the word association games...

I have not gone public about having surgery but If your on facebook by all means add me(blue "F" under my name)and I will email you if you like..
Lisa x x
p.s welcome to the WLS family...xx

 

[Mrs Norris]

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome and informative replies, it is so good to have such a good source of information and support.
I will address some of the points raised -
It is not easy for me to change GPs, the whole family is registered there (I have 3 gorgeous children) and it would be a PITA to change. I will try another GP at the same practice and see how I go. If I struggle I will then change Drs myself and leave hubby and kids at this one.
I can't try any weight loss medication at the moment as I am breastfeeding my little boy. (1 last week) I did try orlistat 7 years ago and got on well with it - no nasty side effects, I came off that to have my first baby and have been either pregnant or breastfeeding ever since.
I don't have any other health issues but do have a very strong family history of diabetes and developed gestational diabetes in my last pregnancy so I could use that as an additional factor.
I know this sounds a bit crazy but I feel motivated enough to have another bash at slimming world and have calculated that I could lose 28lbs and still have a high enough BMI for the WLS. (my problems lie with the longer term weight loss, falling off the waggon and re-gaining weight). Would it go against me to be actively losing weight when I am seen?
Thank you all again so much for the support and information, I am begining to feel as if there is a light at the end of this very long tunnel.

 

[lisa x]

Hi again...
The time scale may be out for oristat...
I was told to go back on it before referral..but I went back and had gained weight on oristat !!!!.
I would make sure you have your weight documented at G.Ps before commencing any diet...
I have not dieted at all in the run up to my first appointment as i do not want my BMI to lower..!
Once I have that first weigh in,I will be dieting like never before.
What part of Northamptonshire are you..?
Please message me when you have hit 50 posts I will try and help you if I can xx

 

[lisa x]

Hi and welcome, I was bypassed at the L&D 16 weeks ago. I didn't have to do the 12 week programe but I had been on all the diets, 2 different slimming tabs and the free weightwatchers deal. I'm diabetic (well actually nearly not and more lol). Dr VJ Mr Whitelaws side kick told me they don't do the bands there anymore because of the failure rate, don't know how true this is, just something to bear in mind.
Any questions feel free to ask

I heard this too about the bands...

 

[shas59]

Bypass

I am from Peterborough and hope to have a bypass, this site is so helpful and inspiring. It gives me hope.

I have an appt on 14th Oct to see surgeon and aneathetist and hope to get a surgery appt, hope it is this year, fingers crossed, anyone else have there last appt.

Thanks to all you lovely fols.

 

[phatmomma]

Good luck on your journey xxx