Not been around in a while, feeling terribly low

[Pookiedoodle]

Hi everyone, I don't know whether you remember me, I've not been around in a few months.
I've looked at all of your posts and followed your stories daily, but I'm just finding things so very hard recently that I've not been up to posting.
So, my news is that I saw Mr Finch, the consultant who agreed to refer me to the PCT for funding.
I received my letter from the PCT yesterday - they turned me down!
No reason, they just said no, and that they want me to attend a weight loss clinic, miles away, to show them that I can lose weight and keep it off!
If I could keep it off I wouldn't be in this position in the first place!!!!!
The letter said I can re-apply with further info, which I will try my best to do, but I feel so bloody disheartened right now.
I first asked for this surgery 2 years ago, was told no, so tried again 6 months ago and it's still going on now.
I need some reassuring words from someone who understands, and some advice for this letter would be so much appreciated.
Thanks so much everyone
xx

 

[jan87]

awh hunny. :break_diet: please cheer up. youll get there. just think atleast you want to do something and every bit counts. so just keep applying. in the mean time is there anything you think you can do to help start the weighloss (as a compulsive over eater myself who is still battling her emotions i know that this is the million dollar question!!!) listen someone wise once told me to look at yourself in the mirror and instead of thinking "i hate what i see now" think "i hate what i did see", in other words see that the weight you carry is the old you and see the new you is dying to get out! baby steps. you can do it. and we are all here to support you. i cant relater to surgical weightloss, but i can imagine how disheartening it must be to hope for someting and to be turned down again. but dont give up ok. because what's for you will never go by you. so keep you chip up and just know that the best is yet to come. youll do great, all you have to do is start believing it, the weight will follow.


big kisses and support!!! and lots of hugs. mwah. x

 

[shelbell]

Hi Emma,

Which PCT are you under? There might be someone here under the same one, or we can help you find out more about that particular one.

I'm sorry you've been refused first time round, there are quite a few on here who went through that but fought on to get the funding eventually. It's not an easy journey, it will be a rollercoaster of emotions and battles, but it is worth it in the end.

Stay focused, stay strong, and keep talking. You can get so much support here through your journey, but it's up to you to keep talking and not shut yourself away again.

Lastly, sending you huge hugs :hug99:

Shel

 

[charliegirl]

Hi Emma first of all (((HUGS)))....I was turned down first time they said to attend weight management for two years I carried on fighting and had my surgery last saturday. You need to gather as much information that can help your case. My original letter from my GP was very poor and I ended up doing all the work myself. Also you could attend the weight management for a few months and if it does not help they should then refer you, use it as a tool to get what you want. It is a hard battle they want to hole onto their money but there are a lot on here fighting their local PCT's....good luck chick...xx

 

[Gerry]

Hi Emma,

So sorry to hear that you are having such a rough time trying to get your funding. Mine was an up hill struggle, but I got there eventually.

I would concentrate your efforts into reapplying with further information. Now don't rush it, get yourself armed with as much as you can.....

Do you have any medical conditions that are affected by your weight? Has anyone told you to loose weight in the past (medically)? List what you have tried in the past, see if you can get back up letters from any doctors, specialists etc. Some will say they won't write letters unless the PCT contacts them directly, which we all know the PCT won't do, its just doctors way of getting out of it. If that happens, just state in a lengthy letter to the PCT to go with your appeal, that Dr. X has said that they would be willing to support you and that the PCT are welcome to write to him at (give address) to confirm this, and do the same for anyone else, nurses, doctors.....anyone! Get friends and relatives to write you back up letters supporting you on the difficulties that they have seen caused by your weight. A partner could put that you snore, startle awake in the night, have trouble turning or sleeping etc etc. If you have joint or back problems, soreness of skin in folds, aching back or legs, difficulty buying clothes, can't run, can't walk.....loads of things that you may not have thought of.....put it all in that letter and get friends to back you up. Depression is another one. Tell them how low it makes you feel. Also if you have diabetes or low blood sugar or anything. If the classes they want you to attend are too far away, tell them the difficulties of getting there. I got out of the weight management because of my disability and the people who run it not being qualified to handle someone with my disability.

I done all of the above, put in lots of info about my disability and all the other problems, difficulties buying clothes to fit etc and I got it.

If you need anymore tips there are lots of people here to help you, don't be afraid to ask.

You will get it eventually I'm sure. Chin up and keep going, they will see you mean business in the end.

 

[Pookiedoodle]

Thank you SO much girls, I knew I could rely on you to make me feel better.
I am under Northamptonshire PCT Shel. My letter came from them yesterday, and all of the emotions i have been trying to keep inside just all came out & I sobbed so hard, I'm devastated!
My emotions are all over the place, I know I'm a nightmare to live with right now, I feel sorry for my husband & children bless them.
So, I now have to compose an email to the PCT, putting forward my case again. I'll also see my GP again next week, keep him on my side, maybe ask him to write a letter to them too.
Thanks again for your replies, you are so lovely on here.
xx

 

[shelbell]

On BOSPA Northamptonshire is just NICE guidelines, what's your BMI?

 

[Pookiedoodle]

Oh god, you lot on here make me want to cry, you are all so fantastic, I can't believe I didn't come back on here sooner.
Gerry, I'm going to start my letter later today, I'll try to put in as much as I can. I can't really get friends & family to back me up, cos I've not told any of them!!
Thankyou again, from the bottom of my heart, you are all such wonderful friends.
xx

 

[Pookiedoodle]

My BMI is 45.6
I already checked what the critera is for my PCT, that's one reason I was so shocked - I meet them all!

 

[Brunetteandred]

If you meet all the criteria for funding, then I would state so in your letter and ask then why they have refused you. Maybe attach a printout of their criteria from BOSPA site (presuming it is updated regularly... Shel? Do you know?)

As you have already identified, it will be good to keep your GP on-side and ask him/her to support your appeal.

Big hugs and the very best of luck to you. :hug99:

 

[shelbell]

In that case I'd start with a letter along the following lines...

Dear Sir/Madam,

In response to your letter dates xx/xx/xxxx I would like to raise a query with you directly.

Having researched the funding criteria for Northamptonshire PCT I understand that funding relies on a patient meeting the NICE guidelines, which, as a patient with a BMI of over 40, I do.

I have already attempted to lose weight over XX years through a variety of methods, including xx, xx and xx, most of which led to an initial weight loss followed by a gain of the lost weight and more.

I have been seen by Mr Finch, consultant xx at xx hospital, who has agreed that I am a suitable candidate for bariatric surgery.

I would like the PCT to respond to this letter to explain why my application for funding was recently refused, and if NICE guidelines are not adhered to, what the full criteria for funding is.

I would appreciate your prompt response,

Yours faithfully,

Pookiedoodle

 

[Pookiedoodle]

Thank you so much Shell i really appreciate that.
Would it be at all possible, once I have completed the letter for me to email it to you, see what you think, I really value your opinion.
xx

 

[Brunetteandred]

Looks good to me Shel. I noticed in the NICE Guidelines that they mention attendance at an obesity clinic, which I have never done. But my GP says that having been prescribed Xenical and have evidenced weight loss on VLC diets (Lighterlife requires you to go to the GP once a month for BP checks and they note your weight loss also), that counted.

Don't know if that means anything in this case?

 

[shelbell]

Yup, no probs. Its [email protected]