Which hospital?

[Twiggie]

Hi everyone!

I've just joined the forum tonight and have posted my introductory post here ...

http://www.minimins.com/introductions/106877-hi-everyone.html

I've spent the last few hours reading various threads but I can't find any mention of the hospitals used in my area. Seems everyone is either up North or down South/London lol

When I saw my GP a couple of weeks ago he said he was referring me to the Obesity Clinic at Addenbrooke's hospital in Cambridge and if they agreed then I would most likely have my surgery at Luton & Dunstable hospital.

However, I received a phone call today from GP receptionist to tell me there were no places available at the clinic in Cambridge therefore they would refer me to West Suffolk hospital in Bury St Edmund's and that my surgery would also take place there.

Now, having done some research this evening I can't find any information about West Suffolk hospital performing any Bariatric surgery. I also discovered that almost all cases in East Anglia are refered either to Homerton in London or Luton & Dunstable, so now I'm left feeling rather confused!

Is there anyone else on here from the Suffolk area that might know anything about the clinic and/or surgery being performed at West Suffolk hospital please?

Also, has anyone else had surgery at the Homerton as given a choice between that and L&D then I'd opt for Homerton as it would be easier for me to travel to.

Thanks

 

[quetiapina]

Hi Twiggie, I don't have any answers sorry but just wanted to say Hi. I'm sure someone here will have the answers for you.

Jen x

 

[elffie01]

hi there I cant help with the hospital, I also just wanted to welcome you to mini's. Someone will have a clue Im sure

 

[Snowcrystal]

Hi Twiggy

Welcome to Mini's

Sorry I can't answer that question for you either...But a suggestion I do have... Maybe all your appointments will be at West Suffolk hospital because your consultant/surgeon might work out of there but do the operation in another hospital.

Hope you get it sorted soon.

(((huggs)))

 

[Fashionably Late]

Welcome! I believe the hospital is down to whichever hospital your PCT has contracts with. On another website, I found a bunch of ladies from your area that had their surgeries with Mr Jain at L&D.

You can always ring your PCT direct and ask them as well as the will know who they have contracts with.

 

[Twiggie]

Thanks for the lovely welcome everyone

I've spoken with West Suffolk hospital today and they don't have any available appointments either, so I guess this isn't going to happen any time soon for me. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement :cry:

 

[Fashionably Late]

Can they refer you to L&D? I attend all of my appointments at a hospital 2 hours away.

 

[Twiggie]

Can they refer you to L&D? I attend all of my appointments at a hospital 2 hours away.

To be honest I have no idea! I was under the impression from GP that I had to have my initial assessment at an Obesity Clinic prior to being referred to a hospital, as apparently the GP can't make a direct referral

 

[dreamofbeingslim]

Hi and welcome to minis. I attended the obesity clinic at Addenbrookes for about 1 year. I was put on the milk diet and managed to loose 3 stone, as soon as I started eating again sadly it went back on. Dr Finer who was the consultant at the time was brilliant such a lovely man, always had time for you, suggested I have a bypass and applied for funding just before Christmas. I am still waiting for it to come through. He also told me Addenbrookes don't do the surgery and the 2 places I could go would be L&D or UCHL. He suggested I choose UCHL and Prof. Fiennes. He didn't mention anything about the west suffolk hospital. Hope you get sorted soon.

 

[Twiggie]

So you had to attend the clinic for A YEAR!!! prior to being referred for surgery??? :sigh:

Also, what is the 'milk diet'? I can't drink milk so what would they suggest instead?

I'm not sure where I'll be going now, if anywhere at all, as neither Addenbrooke's or West Suffolk hospital have any appointments available

 

[marky v]

So you had to attend the clinic for A YEAR!!! prior to being referred for surgery??? :sigh:

Also, what is the 'milk diet'? I can't drink milk so what would they suggest instead?

I'm not sure where I'll be going now, if anywhere at all, as neither Addenbrooke's or West Suffolk hospital have any appointments available

keep your chin up, i've had a very smooth trip from my initial visit to the GP to having my op date, but i guess i've been lucky that my PCT had the room, but that not my point, do not lose faith, it can be a very very long and windy road (i feel a song comming on ) but you must never deviate from the final destination......a thinner you...if one door shuts, bang and bang again until someone lets you in

 

[Twiggie]

Dr Finer who was the consultant at the time ..... He also told me Addenbrookes don't do the surgery and the 2 places I could go would be L&D or UCHL. He suggested I choose UCHL and Prof. Fiennes. He didn't mention anything about the west suffolk hospital. Hope you get sorted soon.

I've just looked on the UCHL website and apparently Dr Finer is one of the Obesity Physicians for the Bariatric team at this hospital, which explains why he suggested you choose UCHL and Dr Fiennes

 

[Twiggie]

keep your chin up, i've had a very smooth trip from my initial visit to the GP to having my op date, but i guess i've been lucky that my PCT had the room, but that not my point, do not lose faith, it can be a very very long and windy road (i feel a song comming on ) but you must never deviate from the final destination......a thinner you...if one door shuts, bang and bang again until someone lets you in

Thanks for the support. I know it must seem that I'm giving up hope before I've even started the journey but I'm the sort of person who once I make the decision to do something then I have to get on with it immediately. Any delays or interruptions and I just lose complete interest

Sorry, I know this must sound incredibly selfish to those of you who have waited patiently for many months or even longer! I'm already considering going private if necessary even if it means going into severe debt to do so

 

[thinkbethin]

Hi Twiggie, sorry I can't help as I don't know your area but just wanted to say :welcome2:to minis and I hope you get the answers you need.

 

[Twiggie]

Thanks Gaynor!

I'm so sorry about my last post yesterday, I could have handled that a LOT better than I did and if I'm reacting like this when faced with the first hurdle however will I cope with any further rejections down the line! :ashamed0005:

It seems there is still a glimmer of hope yet, having spoken to the lady who coordinates these 'choose & book' appointments at the surgery, as she is going to see if she can find another clinic/hospital with any appointments available for me! :fingerscrossed:

 

[dreamofbeingslim]

So you had to attend the clinic for A YEAR!!! prior to being referred for surgery??? :sigh:

Also, what is the 'milk diet'? I can't drink milk so what would they suggest instead?

I'm not sure where I'll be going now, if anywhere at all, as neither Addenbrooke's or West Suffolk hospital have any appointments available

The milk diet was 5 pints of semi skimmed milk, 1 or 2 oxo, 1 sachet of sugar free jelly, 1 or 2 fybogel and at least 2 pints of liquid a day.
I attended for 1 year but I was asked if I would like to have surgery when I first attended but didn't want it then. Then was told by Dr Finer when I had done the year that surgery is the only option to keep it off for me. So here I am waiting for the pct for funding. Have they said if there is a waiting list for the obesity clinic. Does your dr have a history of different diets you have tried in the past because that is what they will need to see that you have tried various different ways of loosing the weight.

 

[dreamofbeingslim]

I've just looked on the UCHL website and apparently Dr Finer is one of the Obesity Physicians for the Bariatric team at this hospital, which explains why he suggested you choose UCHL and Dr Fiennes

Yes when I last saw him he told me he was leaving to go there fulltime. He worked there part time previously.

 

[Twiggie]

The milk diet was 5 pints of semi skimmed milk, 1 or 2 oxo, 1 sachet of sugar free jelly, 1 or 2 fybogel and at least 2 pints of liquid a day.
I attended for 1 year but I was asked if I would like to have surgery when I first attended but didn't want it then. Then was told by Dr Finer when I had done the year that surgery is the only option to keep it off for me. So here I am waiting for the pct for funding. Have they said if there is a waiting list for the obesity clinic. Does your dr have a history of different diets you have tried in the past because that is what they will need to see that you have tried various different ways of loosing the weight.

Thanks Sharon, it really helps to have a little insight into how it all works

Ok, well the milk diet I wouldn't be able to do as I don't tolerate milk very well. A small amount of skimmed on cereal is about as much as I can manage so will have to enquire about alternatives to that.

I'm feeling more relieved to know that you weren't forced into waiting a year prior to an offer of surgery. Was this because you wanted to try other options first, and if so what methods of WL did you try?

My GP is aware of my longstanding weight problems (plus previous eating disorders) but apart from general discussions with regard to how it affects my diabetes and other health issues, he's never actually prescribed any course of action/treatment other than asking the Diabetic Nutritionist to give me some literature and advice. The problem is I only physically see my GP when absolutely necessary, maybe once every couple of years - contact is usually via telephone/letter/email due to agoraphobia/social anxiety problems

 

[dreamofbeingslim]

Hi thats what we are hear for to help each other through all of this. You might need to see a councillor or dr about your previous eating disorder. It all depends on who you see. I think there are other diets available that they use because I was asked if I like milk prior to starting it.

I too was diagnosed with depression in October after the obesity clinic put me on a drug called accomplia. This drug has now been withdrawn because it was causing depression and suicidal thoughts in those taking it. Since I was diagnosed the 3 stone I lost went back on within a couple of months. I so hope you get the help and support you need and remember I am always here to chat if you would like to.

 

[Twiggie]

Thanks again Sharron, you don't know what a huge relief it is to be able to talk about all this with someone. Thinking logically then if they they can come up with a non-surgical solution then of course that will be fantastic, so I guess I shouldn't be thinking that surgery is the only and final option, just yet, at least not until I've spoken to the specialists

Will be Monday now before I will know if any other hospital will be prepared to see me!