Advice needed regarding NHS funding please!

[Baileysmummy84]

Hi everyone, first time posting so please bare with me!
Basically I have been refused funding twice for bariatric surgery (asked for a gastric band) Was told at 42 my bmi wasn't high enough and I'd have to go on a weight management course for 2 years 1st...well, there are no weight management courses available in my area so I've been in limbo! (Already seen a dietician, tried doc prescribed weightloss tabs and joined a gym)

I've now got upto a Bmi of 47 and have also just started being tested for rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia so have had to quit the gym and I'm getting seriously fed up of not being able to do anything with my 3yr old son (I'm only 30 with the body of an overweight 90 yr old lol) As a single parent I really feel guilty about the things my son misses out on so I'm here for your help, is there anything I can do to persuade them to fund my gastric sleeve on the NHS.

Sorry for the long winded thread, need help as I'm going to make an appt to see my gp again tomorrow and I kinda already know it's going to be another no but I'm hoping for a miracle!

Thanks for reading xx

 

[natclaire33)]

just had a thought when I started my journey at the beginning of this year, I emailed the local primary care trust/ clinical commisson group and ask for a copy of the guide lines that they use for approving people for surgery. When I went for it a few years ago and didn't get referred it was because at the time our primary care trust had a completely different set of guidelines that they go buy, they changed the guidelines a while ago to anyone with a bmi of 35 or over with co - morbidities etc and those with a bmi of over 40 and no co morbidities would qualify if you have done the tier 3 programme.

If there are none in your area have you thought about asking your gp if he can send you to the nearest tier three provider is and take it from there, hope this helps

 

[lllellielll]

As the above poster said the 1st thing you need to do is to contact your local PCT and ask them to send you a copy of guidlines.


If the guidlines state that your BMI needs to be over 50 then all you can do is to talk to your GP about help they can offer. I personally never heard of any weight management courses. All I did was to go through all the availiable options like talk to our nurse who is in charge of weight loss clinic but all she could do was to give me some printouts from the Internet about healthy eating. But that was one box ticked. I tried that. Then I asked GP to prescribe me weightloss tabs. They didn't help but the another box is ticked. Then GP (or nurse) referred me to a local Weight Watchers group (8 sessions free) and later on for a few free sessions at a local gym. I also went through eating disorders clinic (but that only applies to those who actually suffer from one). That was it. All boxes are ticked. I tried it all in 2 years.

The other thing you need to find out (it will be in the Guidlines you recieve) is the application process. Does your GP apply for funding or a bariatric surgeon. In Bromley where I used to live I had to see a surgeon first and it was him who was supposed to take my case to PCT but it didn't go that far because my BMI was under 50 and the surgeon told me straight away that I had no chance. I remember I go so upset that day. I thought that I could have just had a bigger breakfast, drank a lot of water and brought a couple of stones in my pocket to make to 50.

Then I moved to a new area where criteria were different and it was my GP who applied for funding and all I needed to do was to convince her that I need it.

Hope that helps.

 

[janet_hi]

just had a thought when I started my journey at the beginning of this year, I emailed the local primary care trust/ clinical commisson group and ask for a copy of the guide lines that they use for approving people for surgery. When I went for it a few years ago and didn't get referred it was because at the time our primary care trust had a completely different set of guidelines that they go buy, they changed the guidelines a while ago to anyone with a bmi of 35 or over with co - morbidities etc and those with a bmi of over 40 and no co morbidities would qualify if you have done the tier 3 programme.

If there are none in your area have you thought about asking your gp if he can send you to the nearest tier three provider is and take it from there, hope this helps

Just went to GP explained how I had tried every diet etc But I could diet no problem but just cannot keep it off referred me to hospital got appointment a week after they received my referral.

Although, it does depend on your GP I had one say to me about six years ago nobody fat can out of Belson. I did point out I didn't want to live on bread and water the rest of my life! He was a bit chunky too so I said perhaps you need to take a leaf from your own book and practice what you preach! Well after that I changed GP's

 

[Starduck]

Hey! I havent got any advice as im at the beginning of my WL journey.. Just sending a hug as i have fibro and 3 year old, plus the weight (my BMI is definitely over 60, not sure exactly, just waiting on my letter with weight on their reliable hospital scales!) so i know how hard it is xx keep pushing with your GP, you will get there eventually xx

 

[hesky77]

I've given up trying to get funding, my GP has told me its in my genes!!! Sent me to a weight management group, no mention of surgery. I had a chat with the counsellor there who then referred me for 121 sessions, but I was only entitled to 4, all about healthy eating, I found it quite useful, lost less than a kg though! Then I was referred back to drop ins, only available when I'm at work, yet I know of people smaller than me who've had the surgery on nhs, during my 121's there was never a mention of surgery being an option, I'm now going to try and fund it myself.

 

[janet_hi]

I've given up trying to get funding, my GP has told me its in my genes!!! Sent me to a weight management group, no mention of surgery. I had a chat with the counsellor there who then referred me for 121 sessions, but I was only entitled to 4, all about healthy eating, I found it quite useful, lost less than a kg though! Then I was referred back to drop ins, only available when I'm at work, yet I know of people smaller than me who've had the surgery on nhs, during my 121's there was never a mention of surgery being an option, I'm now going to try and fund it myself.

You have to go back to GP and tell him/her that you want to be referred for surgery.

 

[content]

The GP definitely seems to be the key. After lots of false starts with PCT etc, my GP wrote directly to the Consultant! He explained my history etc and within 3 weeks I was sat in the Consultants office being told that he would certainly offer me surgery and of course it would be NHS.
Four months later I have had my op and the most wonderful care. I can't believe that after years, it was all done so quickly. Try and find a supportive GP and get them to push some doors. Good luck.

 

[NinaW]

I know how you feel. I had a low BMI when I began under 40 but I was diagnosed with arthritus in the knees and mobility was hard. They then did tests and found I had sleep apnea which is a co morbidity. Where I live in London, you have to have a BMI over 35 with co-morbidity to be referred. When I first applied a couple of years ago I was declined too but kept at it and didn't give up. I was referred to weight management as they said I wasn't big enough so I did it. I have just had my surgery so don't give up. I know its a long battle but keep going with it. Go and see your GP again and ask for referral. Good luck