Been to my GP.. Disappointed

[Nina84]

Hi there
I been to see my gp today to request a referal to the NHS waiting list for gastric band.
He told me that NHS doesnt do that anylonger that i will need to go private..,
Is that correct??

 

[Mrs Quiggle]

Not as far as I know. If it's a group practice go and see a different Dr.

Kate

 

[Nina84]

Thanks, Thats what i did. Booked an appointment to see the second doctor.

 

[Wobbletogo]

Have you been through a weight management programme yet/ It might be you have to be referred to that and they decide if you need referral for surgery? Did he not talk to you about why you wanted a band and what other options you had?

 

[Nina84]

Ive not done anything, just went to the doctor because my knee and ankle are hurting, and he said he will refer me to a specialist that might tell me that i will need to loose weight to see if it will heal. I then asked him about the gastric band thats when he said NHS doesnt do it anylonger and would need to go private. Xx

 

[Mazza]

A lot of us have to go private, its a bit of a postcode lottery as to wether funding is available.

Where do you live, have you checked your PCT's funding requirements?

BOSPA.org

If you look on the above link and do meet the criteria, go back armed with that. Good luck xx

 

[lyzzyanne]

My pct are discouraging bands but allowing bypass and sleeves!!

 

[clickityclick]

Hi nina, did your doctor mean they don't do any surgery or just the band? I've just attended my pct seminar and the surgeon there said at this hospital they are trying not to do any bands as other options are better and only do bands in exceptional cases. x

 

[Nina84]

I asked him about weight loss surgery. That doctor is a pain though, hoping the other doctor will tellme something better

 

[Nina84]

Could anyone advise me on what to do? I live in manchester and my bmi is 43.5
What are the first steps? I would love advises as ive been thinking of having this gastric band done for years but now is really the time a i dont want to gain more weight, it just seems to be coming on every minute.
I try as much as i can to exersise but my body just wont allow me . My knee is in pain. Always tired. Bit of depression. New in the town and dont know anyone. Its always me and the kids. Dont have time for myself so am really down. :-(

 

[kirstyjade]

Could anyone advise me on what to do? I live in manchester and my bmi is 43.5
What are the first steps? I would love advises as ive been thinking of having this gastric band done for years but now is really the time a i dont want to gain more weight, it just seems to be coming on every minute.
I try as much as i can to exersise but my body just wont allow me . My knee is in pain. Always tired. Bit of depression. New in the town and dont know anyone. Its always me and the kids. Dont have time for myself so am really down. :-(

Aww hun sorry your feeling so down... I think the first step is going to your GP and asking to be referred for surgery, i can be quite a quick process depening where you live, unfortunatly where i live its an 8 month waiting but iv seen some people only wait a couple months, but just go and see your doc and get the wheels in motion you'll be suprised how positive you will feel once you've been for your consultation... For me i feel so upbeat and positive knowing in 2 years (maybe even before) my life will be so differnt i'll be skinny... CANT WAIT
Good luck on your journey x

 

[Nina84]

Aww hun sorry your feeling so down... I think the first step is going to your GP and asking to be referred for surgery, i can be quite a quick process depening where you live, unfortunatly where i live its an 8 month waiting but iv seen some people only wait a couple months, but just go and see your doc and get the wheels in motion you'll be suprised how positive you will feel once you've been for your consultation... For me i feel so upbeat and positive knowing in 2 years (maybe even before) my life will be so differnt i'll be skinny... CANT WAIT
Good luck on your journey x

Thanks hun xx
I went to my gp yesterday and he said They dont do referal and NHS doesnt do WLS anylonger and would need to go private. And after saying that he just kind of kicked me out. I told him that ive got problem in my knee and all he said he can refer me to a specialist, thats all. :-(

 

[kirstyjade]

Thanks hun xx
I went to my gp yesterday and he said They dont do referal and NHS doesnt do WLS anylonger and would need to go private. And after saying that he just kind of kicked me out. I told him that ive got problem in my knee and all he said he can refer me to a specialist, thats all. :-(

Thats terrible, can you try a different doctor?? I know its horrible but some GP's just arnt compasionate towards over weight people, but im 100% sure that the NHS still do weightloss surgery but it may depend on what area you live on weather theres funding, its abit of a postcode lottery... But i would definatly go and ask another GP and see what they say
Hope you have better luck next time hun x

 

[Mazza]

Thanks hun xx
I went to my gp yesterday and he said They dont do referal and NHS doesnt do WLS anylonger and would need to go private. And after saying that he just kind of kicked me out. I told him that ive got problem in my knee and all he said he can refer me to a specialist, thats all. :-(

Did you click on the link I posted to check what the criteria for where you live is?

 

[Nina84]

Did you click on the link I posted to check what the criteria for where you live is?

Yes forManchester it says

"NICE guidelines criteria" it says. What does that mean?

 

[Mazza]

NICE advises that a person should be considered for surgery if:

a)They have a BMI of over 40 and have tried to lose weight by attending a weight management programme and have also tried, where appropriate, the available prescription anti-obesity drugs and been monitored by their family doctor.

b) They have a BMI of over 50. In this case weight loss surgery can be considered without the patient having necessarily tried different approaches to lose their excess weight.

c) If the person has a BMI of 35-40 but has one of the serious co-morbidities e.g. Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea, and other weight loss options have failed.

 

[Nina84]

NICE advises that a person should be considered for surgery if:

a)They have a BMI of over 40 and have tried to lose weight by attending a weight management programme and have also tried, where appropriate, the available prescription anti-obesity drugs and been monitored by their family doctor.

b) They have a BMI of over 50. In this case weight loss surgery can be considered without the patient having necessarily tried different approaches to lose their excess weight.

c) If the person has a BMI of 35-40 but has one of the serious co-morbidities e.g. Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea, and other weight loss options have failed.

I would say i fit in the A. Ive tried so so many weight management diets and programmes, but how do i prove that? Is it still my GP that i will need to see about it or someone else? Xx

 

[Mazza]

Your GP should have records of previous monitored weight management programmes.

It might be worth ringing PALS to get them to check if the criteria is still up to date. Their number will be on your hospitals website.

 

[Nina84]

Your GP should have records of previous monitored weight management programmes.

It might be worth ringing PALS to get them to check if the criteria is still up to date. Their number will be on your hospitals website.

Ive not been through gp monitored weight management though, just my own programme.
Will ring them up and see what they will say thxx xx

 

[Mazza]

Ah well it sounds like you will need to do that first then. Some are 6 months some a year.

Good luck x