PoppyPoo
Inky Minx
I have an exciting update. I had my consultation with the NHS plastic surgery team yesterday in Cambridge and they said yes!!!
After asking me a bunch of questions about how much weight I lost, how I did it, how long I kept it off for, do I smoke, drink, etc. They didn't ask about the psychological impact or past infections. I'm guessing my GP wrote all that to the PCT on my behalf and all the plastic surgeons were concerned about was seeing me in person before they could decide whether or not they can help me. They examined my tummy. (The part I was most nervous about - showing complete strangers the embarrassing disfigurement that upsets me the most).
But they were really nice. They made me feel at ease and told me that a tummy tuck can definitely improve my situation and that I fit all the criteria.
When I asked about the PCT and funding, it turned out they had already said ok to the funding before I got my consultation appointment. So all that fretting I've been doing for the past couple of months has been for nothing. All along I've been granted the fundung.
The surgeon also told me that new government guidelines mean that I will definitely be under the knife within 18 weeks of the date of my first consultation letter (no later).
So seems like I'll have it done by the end of this year.
I cannot even begin to explain how happy I am. I can just look down at my excess skin now and think 'you'll soon be gone!'
I know it's a post code lottery but for anyone else who has lost a large amount of weight and has been left with excess skin that is making them depressed, giving them infections, etc. please go see your GP. For years I struggled with this before plucking up the courage to push my embarrassment aside and show my problem to my GP. I guess I thought there was no chance of me getting the funding from the NHS.
Thanks to Minimins and people that have posted here about the subject, I'm now on the waiting list. TBH, I don't think I would've gone to my GP if it wasn't for this so hopefully the details of my NHS experience, added to those that have posted before me can help others in the same position.
I'll keep this message posted with updates.
xx
After asking me a bunch of questions about how much weight I lost, how I did it, how long I kept it off for, do I smoke, drink, etc. They didn't ask about the psychological impact or past infections. I'm guessing my GP wrote all that to the PCT on my behalf and all the plastic surgeons were concerned about was seeing me in person before they could decide whether or not they can help me. They examined my tummy. (The part I was most nervous about - showing complete strangers the embarrassing disfigurement that upsets me the most).
But they were really nice. They made me feel at ease and told me that a tummy tuck can definitely improve my situation and that I fit all the criteria.
When I asked about the PCT and funding, it turned out they had already said ok to the funding before I got my consultation appointment. So all that fretting I've been doing for the past couple of months has been for nothing. All along I've been granted the fundung.
The surgeon also told me that new government guidelines mean that I will definitely be under the knife within 18 weeks of the date of my first consultation letter (no later).
So seems like I'll have it done by the end of this year.
I cannot even begin to explain how happy I am. I can just look down at my excess skin now and think 'you'll soon be gone!'
I know it's a post code lottery but for anyone else who has lost a large amount of weight and has been left with excess skin that is making them depressed, giving them infections, etc. please go see your GP. For years I struggled with this before plucking up the courage to push my embarrassment aside and show my problem to my GP. I guess I thought there was no chance of me getting the funding from the NHS.
Thanks to Minimins and people that have posted here about the subject, I'm now on the waiting list. TBH, I don't think I would've gone to my GP if it wasn't for this so hopefully the details of my NHS experience, added to those that have posted before me can help others in the same position.
I'll keep this message posted with updates.
xx
