Considering a band

[KJF78]

Hi all

I'm new here. I would like to have a band. I went to my GP a while ago and he said no! Apparently I'm not big enough to be considered for NHS funding. He told me I was wasting my time basically. I live in the West Mids and will most likely go to Dolan Park (Hospital Group.)
The main problem I have is the cost They have an offer on at the mo, just less than £5000, so I have arranged for them to call me to discuss it all. Unfortunately I have bad credit history so I am not going to hold my breath! I need to win the lotto! Did anyone else have trouble with finance? Also, are there extra hidden costs I should be aware of?
Anyway, I'm Kelly. Hope to get to know you all and I will let you all know how I get on.
In the meantime, I will have a read, see if I can learn a bit more about the band! xx

 

[FuturePerfect]

Welcome Kelly.

There are quite a few private banders on here. You need to consider whether the cost of fills are included in the surgery price, and if so whether they are limited by time or number.

NHS are included.

 

[KJF78]

Thanks! It says unlimited fills for a year.

By the way, my BMI is 40.

 

[tanychance]

Hi, I had mine done there last month! The cost u said is what u pay! U have 6 months surgical cover unlimited fills for 2 years and lifetime after care! they don't actually do the finance I don't think, I'm sure I read it's a specialist finance company for cosmetic surgery!! Not too sure on that tho, sorry!! I went there as I only live down the road from it!! Hope that helps! X

 

[KJF78]

Hi! How did you find it? Did you have to stay in there long? x

 

[Fizzpot]

I'm booked in at Dolan park on Wednesday! It's 4995 and 2 years free fills then after those two years it's 125 a fill if needed x

 

[Fizzpot]

Hi! How did you find it? Did you have to stay in there long? x

They told me I can go home on the same day if I want but the room is mine for the night if I want to stay xx

 

[tanychance]

Blimey fizz that's come round quick! It was fine, I was only in pain for a couple of days with trapped wind!! I stayed in over night too, only to get peace from the kids haha! I'm on the last stint of purée foods now and start normal diet on Thursday! I don't feel much of a restriction right now but have lost one stone and 2lb so far! Once I started on purée my weight has stayed the same but that is normal I'm told! I have my first fill end of this month!! Good luck fizz! X

 

[KJF78]

They told me I can go home on the same day if I want but the room is mine for the night if I want to stay xx

Oh right, that's good then, I'm a single parent with 2 children (aged 14 and 11) so would like to come home if possible. Just hope I can raise the dosh! x

 

[KJF78]

Blimey fizz that's come round quick! It was fine, I was only in pain for a couple of days with trapped wind!! I stayed in over night too, only to get peace from the kids haha! I'm on the last stint of purée foods now and start normal diet on Thursday! I don't feel much of a restriction right now but have lost one stone and 2lb so far! Once I started on purée my weight has stayed the same but that is normal I'm told! I have my first fill end of this month!! Good luck fizz! X

Actually a night of peace does sound good! Glad it's going well. How quick did you have it done after you first enquired? x

 

[tanychance]

I could've had it done within a few days but we had a weekend away in Rome on the 9th march so waited till we came back and had it done 15th march! I did only 2 days pre op diet too! X

 

[KJF78]

Wow! That was quick!

Good luck Fizzpot!

 

[Bluebutterflier]

You may need to do more investigating on this....BUT....

I was watching a BBC1 program recently...with that Dom guy....Where he helps people investigate things....Anyhow there was a man who had an illness on there - who his GP was happy to refer him for a particular trial/drug thing...but it was the pct who wouldnt give the funding or wouldnt allow the drugs for this guy.

Soooo upon investigation DOM found out that...if you live in an area that has many GP's....which may come under a certain PCT...or a few different ones, depending on your address....

So they got this guy to change his GPs office, which was under another PCT...and then got the backing of this new GP, who then tried their PCT...and BANG the guy got the funding.

So I wonder, if you change your GP, or relocate if you can or go under someone elses address in a different PCT area...would you then still be refused?

By the way...not to sound patroniing, as im sure you have looked into all the criteria for a Gastric Band....but hopefully you are over the certain BMI etc etc of what the you need for a Gastric Band, so that you know you come under the NHS acceptance....for this operation. So that whatever it is your GP isnt supporting you for or your not getting the funding from the Pct...and then you can try these things above...or re-apply with more information, proof etc for your GP to consider.

 

[Fizzpot]

Blimey fizz that's come round quick! It was fine, I was only in pain for a couple of days with trapped wind!! I stayed in over night too, only to get peace from the kids haha! I'm on the last stint of purée foods now and start normal diet on Thursday! I don't feel much of a restriction right now but have lost one stone and 2lb so far! Once I started on purée my weight has stayed the same but that is normal I'm told! I have my first fill end of this month!! Good luck fizz! X

I know I can't wait -all this milk is giving me the worst breathe ever I can't wait for it to be over ! Well done on losing a stone + ! I'll be staying in because otherwise my little boy will be jumping all over me and it may be nice for a break. Thg sent me a email telling me when my first fill Is and a telephone appt with the dietitian. Still not had my admission time for the op yet tho. When did you get yours through ? X

 

[tanychance]

They will ring you mon or tues and tell u to be there for 7am! That's about it really! Yes had my phone call last sat! Just a courtesy call really! I was hoping for quicker results but realise now it's not a quick fix lol the band is doing nothing for me right now so it's will power alone keeping me on slop! Funny how paying five grand out makes u stick to it lol u had all your blood tests done? I was first to theatre when I had mine! Do u live near too? X

 

[tanychance]

You may need to do more investigating on this....BUT....

I was watching a BBC1 program recently...with that Dom guy....Where he helps people investigate things....Anyhow there was a man who had an illness on there - who his GP was happy to refer him for a particular trial/drug thing...but it was the pct who wouldnt give the funding or wouldnt allow the drugs for this guy.

Soooo upon investigation DOM found out that...if you live in an area that has many GP's....which may come under a certain PCT...or a few different ones, depending on your address....

So they got this guy to change his GPs office, which was under another PCT...and then got the backing of this new GP, who then tried their PCT...and BANG the guy got the funding.

So I wonder, if you change your GP, or relocate if you can or go under someone elses address in a different PCT area...would you then still be refused?

By the way...not to sound patroniing, as im sure you have looked into all the criteria for a Gastric Band....but hopefully you are over the certain BMI etc etc of what the you need for a Gastric Band, so that you know you come under the NHS acceptance....for this operation. So that whatever it is your GP isnt supporting you for or your not getting the funding from the Pct...and then you can try these things above...or re-apply with more information, proof etc for your GP to consider.

I'm sure thg only require a bmi 35 to perform it! What does the NHS need it to be?

 

[Bluebutterflier]

I'm sure thg only require a bmi 35 to perform it! What does the NHS need it to be?

Its says on the NHS site.....


Potentially life-threatening obesity is defined as:
having a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
having a BMI of 35 or above and having another serious health condition that could be improved if you lose weight, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure

Weight loss surgery - NHS Choices

So basically you need a bmi of 40 or above unless your bmi 35 or above and have a illness that could be helped or easied by having the gastric band.

Ive also been told that a GP makses sure that you have tried at least 5 ways of losing weight...ie: weight watchers, excersize, slimming pills, atkins...etc....that you have been overweight/obese for more than so many years....

 

[Fizzpot]

They will ring you mon or tues and tell u to be there for 7am! That's about it really! Yes had my phone call last sat! Just a courtesy call really! I was hoping for quicker results but realise now it's not a quick fix lol the band is doing nothing for me right now so it's will power alone keeping me on slop! Funny how paying five grand out makes u stick to it lol u had all your blood tests done? I was first to theatre when I had mine! Do u live near too? X

Lol I have no bloody will power this was my last resort for weight loss god I hope it works -maybe it will be better after the first fill most others say it is , they did my bloods at my consultation so that was the 16th of march so hopefully I'll be in first. I'm in Birmingham so not too far xx

 

[KJF78]

To be honest, I don't think my GP is a fan of surgery! But my PCT (Dudley) is strict. I think it's higher than 40 and you have to have other health issues. It was quite a while ago now, they did all the blood tests and referred me to a weight management clinic instead....yawn

Believe me, I have yo-yo'd for more than 10 years and I've tried every diet going! lol x

I really don't want to wait a year or more, for the NHS either, I want it now!

 

[Bluebutterflier]

To be honest, I don't think my GP is a fan of surgery! But my PCT (Dudley) is strict. I think it's higher than 40 and you have to have other health issues. It was quite a while ago now, they did all the blood tests and referred me to a weight management clinic instead....yawn

Believe me, I have yo-yo'd for more than 10 years and I've tried every diet going! lol x

I really don't want to wait a year or more, for the NHS either, I want it now!

Well then your gonna have to pay for it....if you want it Now.