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Feeling brave, so ill tell you all!!

helen144

helen144

New Member
Hi

I am a midwife working in one of our local hospitals and im a mother too 4 lovely children age 3 to 12 and married to one of the best men in the world. (BMI 42)

I have always been overweight, since being a young child, I was tormented about my weight from and early age and the biggest culprits were my parents, who may i add i love dearly.
I have tried most diets over the years and i remember joining weight watchers when i was 12, i have tried the following diets

Weight Watchers
Slimming World
Lighter Life
Cambridge Diet
Atkins Diet

I also tried diet tablets from my GP about 7 years ago, i did lose 48lbs last year and have now put about 20lbs back on.
I june i went to see my GP and asked whether I could have a gastric band on the NHS and she sad NO i then mentioned slimming tablets, which i couldnt have because I am on antidepressents and they are contraindicated, the advice was to come off the antidepressents and then start slimming tablets, i did this and subsequently have been extrmley depressed and have had to go back on them along with other ones, i have also been referred to a psychologist, which i have seen once.

My depressions stems from a number of things but the main problem is low confidence and self esteem due to being overweight, the need to feel loved for being me.

I have had numerous operations in the past 18 months a hysterectomy, removal of gall bladder and x2 pelvic floor repairs (im 32) these i do not think i would have to have had if i wasnt overweight.

The surgeries I had were all private as I have private health insurance, but they will not fund WLS, for any reason, I have saved the NHS a fortune by having these operations privately, and Im going to go back to my GP on Monday asn tell her I want them to apply for funding for WLS for me.

I just want the chance to lead a "normal" life, to be able to walk acrossa room without thinking people are looking at me, to not have to justify my weight and what I eat at every oppurtunity, to be able to play with my children to go down water slides and go to theme parks, to buy nice clothes, to wake up without thinking about being fat every single day, but most of all be happy and healthy so that I have along life free from problems caused by being this weight.

Any advice and support will be greatley appreciated and help with how i can commence and succeed not only with my request for funding but also for what the future may hold.

Phew.........
 
good luck with you gp and good luck with your weightloss journey, i like you had tried every diet under the sun and yes i could lose the weight but couldn't keep it off so i had a gastric band fitted on thursday which i have had to pay for as i have quite a low bmi, i knew i wouldn't get funding so i am hoping that this will change my life now
 
Helan welcome to minis and good luck with your visit to yr drs. Is it just a one man show or are there other drs at the practice. If so i would see another who may be more compassionate but if not i would make sure that is she is refusing again on what grounds and if you meet the NICE criteria for your PCT why.
take care
HC
 
Well done for posting Helen, you will get the help and support you need from us lot, we all have a similar story that led us here....xx
 
Hi Helen

What a brave woman you are, a truely lovely and honest post. You're not just sitting there moaning, you're going back to the docs and telling them that you want to be referred. Good for you! As you have a BMI of over 40 you are entitled to have the surgery on the NHS. Which area do yo live in, maybe someone on here can offer yo advise on how they got on with PCT for funding if they live in the same area.
Don't stop the will to go on, you've already demonstrated that you are stronger than you think by putting this thread on here! I'm looking forward to hearing how you get on at the doctors this week!

Lots of luck and love,

Ginaxxxx
 
My dr wrote requesting funding for me i didnt have to do anything but others here have had a fight on their hands.
 
helen144 said:
Thanks to all, Gina your message made me smile, thankyou so much I will keep you posted on what goes on, i just need to know do i write a letter to the pct or will my dr and do i give them supporting letter im unsure what to do????
Click to expand...

Glad I made you smile Helen!xx

I had my band done private so I can not help with your question. But im sure that your doctor contacts them. Others here will be able to help you more with that!
 
Hi Helen,

Just wanted to say hello as a fellow midwife! Where do you work? I work at a small private birth unit in North London. We specialise in waterbirth and holistic therapies.

Good luck in your quest to get surgery. Don't give up! I can't give you much advice about getting funding because I had my band privately, but from what I've read on here, perseverance and letter writing are key!

Stay strong.

Alice xx
 
My GP wrote my referral letter but to be honest it was not a strong letter. I also wrote my own and sent it to the PCT. Some GP's have given people forms to complete it seems to be like every thing else totally different and no two people the same.....I would write a letter to send with your GP's it cant harm....xx
 
I found the hardest thing for me was asking to be referred. I felt I was making myself clear when I had appointments with my doctor yet he still didn't refer me. In the end I wrote to him and just plainly wrote please can you refer me to an obesity expert at the hospital. I included details of my weight loss struggle and it effects on me, this worked for me. If I were you I would go with a letter in my hand and hand it to him. If not then post it to him and mark it private so he opens it and not his staff. You do deserve to get refered. Once referred we can start on the next hurdle of FUNDIND!!!!!!!!! I am sure you will get referred. I do understand how you feel. You are not alone. We will all be with you tomorrow!
 
Replied to this on another post, jsut be totally honest on how it affects your life, all the things that you have tried to do etc. Good advice from Gingernutter above....my best piece of advise would be dont take no for an answer.....fingers crossed for tomorrow...xx
 
hi and welcome, i am new to this too (not the dieting) i saw doctor last week and he is going to refer me so now i am waiting for him to ring with any news. i just went in and asked if it was possible for it to be done, actually i was a bit weak about it, but he was brilliant almost as if he was waiting for me to suggest it. i have got a few medical problems that are mostly weight related, so that should go in our favour, one of the suggestions was to take along a letter, and i think thats a very good idea, wish i had done that, it will all help your case. its sounds like you have a very supportive family behind you so good luck. and i look forward to hearing your progress. Bridie
 
Hi Helen and welcome!

Each PCT has it's own criteria which can be found on the BOSPA site here.

I would perhaps consider checking what criteria your PCT requires you to meet and if you meet them, go back to your GP and ask again.

My history is similar to yours and my GP has evidence of my constant attempts at losing weight. I think it is appalling that you have tried repeatedly to lose thge weight and also indeed saved the NHS so much money but in your hour of need, you are refused.

I wish you all the best of luck, Helen.
 
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