Can't believe I'm here

[kittyboo]

Thought I'd say hello seeing as I've been lurking fr the past few days.

I have had a weight problem since as far back as I can remember and after getting to the point where i thought enough is enough last week I decided to weigh myself and set goals for weight loss via a healthy lifestyle. However when I stepped on the scales I couldve passed out 292lbs the heaviest I've ever been by a long long way and so I calculated my BMI and was disgusted to realise I am now classed as 'super-obese' at BMI 50.

I feel like my "diet" is pointless now .. Though I have been eating very sensibly since I weighed in but it wasn't until I googled having a BMI of 50 that I realised that surgery would even be an option to me (guess I'm in some serious denial about my size.)

I have made a Drs appointment for next week to see what they will say but I'm a bit unsure of what to say to him..?

I went to the docs about 5 years ago as I have other problems with mybody that make me very depressed and he had agreed to refer me fr cosmetic surgery but at this point my bmi was 37 and the surgeons told me not a chance & to get down to in the low 20's.

I was referred to a dietician who was completely useless (I am by no means ignorant but this lady gave me leaflets on food hygeine and how to boil an egg?!) and so I stopped attending the leaflet handing out meetings and gave up on the idea of ever being able to be happy in my own skin.

The idea of any surgery petrifies me but the results that surgery can help achieve excite me so much. *It may also mean that I would be eligible fr the initial cosmetic procedure I was too big for if I was lucky enough to lose lots as a result of wlsurgery!

I live in North Scotland and i wonder if there's anybody else on the forums that may be nearby?

Sorry fr the huuuge 1st post

x

 

[kittyboo]

... And so the GP visit was last week. I Told him everything about my struggles with my weight and he suggested referring me back to the same dietician as before. I said it was a waste of time. He prescribed Xenical and said to come back in 4 weeks. When I specifically asked about the possibility of being a candidate for wls he said that there is no service in our area and that they contract out to a different area. I said that would be ok and asked surely with a BMI of 50 I was suitable.

He said that "50 is nothing around here, we are looking at 60 upwards and even then my last patient with a BMI of 60 is still waiting 1.5 years later"

I must of looked really disappointed as he them said just write a healthy meal plan out and stick to it (oh and exercise!)

Very unsuccessful appointment and so I have written to my local nhs board to ask their criteria aswell as writing to the board they contract procedures out to.

Will wait and see the response. I really cannot see BMI 60 being a criteria, that is surely unable to move for yourself kind of overweight..?

 

[minxie]

Hi Kittyboo, welcome to a really helpful forum Sorry you have such an unhelpful doctor, perhaps you could ask for a second opinion from another doctor? You are entitled to ask for a second opinion. Good idea in writing to find out exact criteria. I'm afraid I can't offer any helpful info as I'm not in Scotland, but I also didn't fit criteria for my PCT so am having to go privately. Good luck, determination usually pays off

 

[gillys]

Hi I had a less than sympathetic GP too. It may be wise to get a second opinion.

 

[BEXS99]

HI Hun, stick with it, hope someone on here lives by you so can help with what the criteria is, go to another doctor and explain you situation. Dont let them fob you off x

 

[kittyboo]

Thanks you guys, I've made another appointment with a female GP who is usually very nice. U know she's a good doc when she's not got any appointments left fr the next fortnight!!

Look forward to recieving the criteria info I requested too. For any others out there wondering, I simply asked in writing everything I want to know (I.e criteria for wls, how to successfully obtain funding, current wait times frm referral to surgery etc) via the freedom of information act. If they can answer you they will have to and within 20 days of your request also.

In the mean time I've been too scared to pop any xenical.. I don't like the thought of pooing myself and not noticing!? Lol. Has anybody on here had any great success with xenical?

Thanks xx

 

[MrsPill]

Good luck with your PCT/Health Board. My sister lost stones with Xenical and a work colleague has too. I took it and didn't bother keeping to the low fat diet and suffered the consequences! .They have a terrific laxative effect if you eat fatty food. But, they do work if you stick to the recommended diet. Its not as easy as surgery though !

 

[penelope1008]

Hi I was put on xenical by my arthritis consultant much to one of the gp's disgust. I saw a different one who was happy to monitor me and I lost 26.5kg on it over 29mths sadly it stopped working or I learnt to eat around the tablets and regained weight, the supportive GP retired and the other stopped the prescription and didn't tell the consultant who was so mad 10mths later when I next saw him was so mad he walked put of the room. Suffice it to say I was left unsupported while they argued over the point. At my next appointment with the consultant another 12mths later and now as heavy as before he suggested wls and after writing to the surgery & my seeing another supportive GP, jumping through hoops for them to have evidence of supporting me for the application just over 16mths later I am now 4 wks post op, almost 6yrs after I started the xenical.

 

[drylaw]

first of all hi Kittyboo and welcome sorry you have not had much success with ur doctor if he has given you xenical i would use it
to get surgery you have to prove ur committed and by trying all the things they offer you it does xenical only works if you take it 3 times a day and follow the rules you have to stick to a low fat diet if you over indulge in fat there are consequences (ie runny poo)
on the criteria each area has the own and there own funding is a bit different from area to area
you dont say where in scotland you are
i am as well i live in Edinburgh and come under NHS Scotland Lothian Trust
here they follow a 5 step pathway and im afraid it is a long journey and you have to follow each step in turn there is no jumping steps
but the good news is your on your way now
dont ever give up hope you never know whats round the corner
keep us posted on what happens or pm me if want to

 

[kittyboo]

Its good to hear others stories on xenical. I have started them today so hopefully all will be ok and I'll see some results.

It sounds stupid but I had thought if I lost weight with Xenical I would be pushed to the back of the queue and be less eligible for surgery!

Hi Drylaw, I was just down ur neck of the woods on Friday for a spot of shopping . I'm from Inverness.. When I asked the gp what service they provide with regards to wlsurgery n he said none I was pretty gobsmacked.

Not to be offensive but us Scottish are a nation of fatties and we really should be leading the way with a solution to obesity rather than ducking and hiding or pointing ppl on a road to nowhere!

I'm hoping I hear a response to my info request before next week as I'd like to go armed with knowledge to this next gp!

Xx

 

[kittyboo]

Forgot to say to Penelope that is a long journey to get to where your at now. You must be so relieved not to mention excited about the new you! X