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Saw GP - been given Orlistat

ditzeeblonde

ditzeeblonde

New Member
May I come in??

I have been reading threads on here with much interest as I have been trying to gleam as much information as possible to help make my decision & I finally have.

I am going to see a GP (not my usual one) on Weds to ask about a gastric band.. I have been on the diet band wagon for as long as I can remember & managed to lose 7 stone in 5 months for my wedding in 2003, after falling pregnant with my 2nd child I am now back up to the 20 stone that I was before.

I have yo-yo'ed so much in the past 2 years & really feel that I can't do it by myself anymore, my want to lose weight just doesn't seem to be enough for me to do it!

I want a longer life with my kids, I don't want them growing up to think that how I am is acceptable & for them to have the battles that I have had with food. So why isn't that enough to make me do it?

I wondered if anyone can give me some advice on what to expect from a GP discussion & what tends to happen from then? How long can it take via NHS?

Thanks in advance for your help... I do feel that this is my only option now.

Linzi. xx
 
Hi Linzi,

I am sure our members here in the WLS forum will be help to give you some good advice and support and share their experience with you.

It is good to do research and to get as much information as you can gather so that you will be able to make an informed decision.

Wishing you all the best with your appointment on Wednesday!

Love Mini xxx
 
Hi

I am a bypasser so dont really know what to expect from a banding consultation as it was never considered by myself but I would like to welcome you to the wonderful world of the Minis! The guys and gals here are amazing and will happily help you at anytime of your journey!

Best of luck! Mark xxx
 
Welcome Linzi to this section. I had a bypass privately 10 weeks ago so not the best person to ask but there are plenty of experienced banders on here and i'm sure someone will be along to help you soon. Good luck for Wednesday and one thing to remember is be completly honest with your gp so that he/she can help you to look at the best option for your eating habits, i like a few others on here went with a band in mind and was advised to have a bypass keep us posted on how you get on xx
 
:wavey:Hi Linzi and welcome! I'm a soon-to-be-bypasser too so can't help much with the band questions, but just wanted to wish you well. You'll find all the help and advice you need on here! :character00148:

Cuppa xx :D
 
Welcome to Mini's! I am going to be a bypasser so I cannot answer questions about banding.
 
Hi Linzi

Can't answer your question as I was referred via a consultant I have for a medical condition so the gp was not involved.

I think thought every gp is different, and it also depends on the primary care trust (pct) that you belong too, and, the hospital that you will be referred to.

Hopefully there will be someone along soon who lives in your pct area who can help a little more.

Welcome to Minis.......It's a great place to get your questions answered and is a lovely community

Xx
 
Hiya, I was banded this March but becuase of the area I live in, and their failure to fund WLS I had to go private. Someone who knows about such things will be along soon and hopefully your questions answered. Good luck with GP x
 
Hi Linzi,

I tried loads of different things through my GP and on my own ie weightwatchers, slimming world and so on to lose weight but unfortunatly I was unsuccessful so once my GP had nothing else to try he referred me to Hope hospital and I saw Dr New he was medical side for weightloss and he tried lowering calories and prescribed tablets but they were also unsucessful and he then put me on surgical list and thats when the ball started rolling for me to have a band or bypass.

I hope this helps.

Natalie x x
 
Thanks guys for all of your advice.

Just found the book thread... looks like I could be investing in a book soon.

Looking forward to Weds but also very aprehensive... I've kinda set my heart on this now & can't afford to go private so I will be very disappointed if I'm told I'm not eligible.

Is there a specific criteria to adhere to? x
 
Hello and welcome,

I am a by-passer and 11 weeks post op, NHS. It took me over 2 years to get my surgery as my local PCT wouldn't fund me.

There is a link on here that will help you find your PCT criteria for a band. Try to go to your GP armed with as much info as possible as not all GP's are up to date with the pathway towards weight loss surgery. Sometimes getting past the GP is the first hurdle. Your PCT might ask you to try other weight loss methods before referring you to see a bariatric clinic. In my case I had to try the standard medications before i could be referred. Not all PCT follow the national recommended guidelines for weight loss surgery. Each Pct will have their own criteria. Hopefully you will fall into their criteria for funding. Your GP might have to state what pathways you have already taken.

You have already taken the biggest step and thats is the hardest one. We will all be here to support you on your journey.
 
Thanks Gingernutter... have found the thread very interesting & good to gen up on before visiting my GP.

This is a fabulous side of the sight that I've never really ventured into whilst dieting for the past 2 years.. now is obviously the right time for me to be researching on here & gaining great info from you all.

Thanks L.x
 
Welcome to Minis. There are a lot of people who post here, you'll get some good advice. I'm hoping to have a gastric bypass once I've had my psychiatric and cardiac referral. The BOSPA site is a good one to read regarding info re wls.

Rebirth
 
Hi Linzi and welcome to the WLS section of Mini's... We're a friendly bunch and Im sure you will like it here!

I'm also a bypasser so hopefully some banders will be along with appropriate questions for your consultation, but in terms of your GP referral - Just tell him you meet the criteria for referral BOSPA - The British Obesity Surgery Patient Association will tell you what the criteria is for your area, that you have tried all other options and that you would like the chance to talk about the possibility of weight loss surgery with a bariatric specialist.

I think most of us have found asking the GP the hardest part of the journey as its the first step. Most of us though have been pleasantly surprised by how supportive our GP's have been.

Good luck hun. Do you know which hospital you would be referred to? We are bound to have someone here from the same area.
 
Hello
I am soon to be a bander
I started teh journey in about Feb last year wehn I went to my gp to go "back on xenical" after the birth of my 3rd child, she asked what i thought of teh band and sent me away to consider it for 6 months, 2 mnontsh later i went back armed with all my studies on it and said yes yes yes i wanted it, I was sent last october on a 6 months weight management course and continued on xenical (which i find rubbish) I joined a gym and lost almost 2 stone (1 of which i have put back on) I went to see the surgeon in August (Mr Ammori) who woudl not agree to teh bypass and i left the hospital in tears, I sent him an email and explained why i wanted the band so much and he has agreed to do the band, I had my sleep apnea and other tests a few weeks ago, I have been told to expect the op down by feb.
so all in all around 2 years.
I have to say I did read up on both the bypass and band but found teh band to be what I personally wanted however if Mr Ammouri woudl have stuck with his decision I woudl have had the bypass.
sprry gone on a bit there. welcome and good luck xxx
 
Well... I saw a GP today to chat about having a gastric band. He's not my usual GP as she's off right now so was worried how that would affect our chat.

He spoke to the practice manager who said considering the current climate he's doubtful I would get what I wanted... interesting how he can judge this without meeting me or knowing anything about me!!

So the result is that I have been put on Orlistat... I personally don't think I eat a particularily fatty diet but it will be interesting to see the results! Was put on Orlistat several years ago & remember the horrible side affects (deep joy!!)

So the next thing for me I guess is to wait for my own GP to come back after her maternity leave has finished so I can speak to her & hope that she will write a letter to the PCT for me... I'm guessing that they will expect some results from using Orlistat too.

Not sure what else I can do really? Any tips from you guys at all?

Don't want to fall at the first hurdle!

Thanks Linzi. xx
 
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