First hospital appointment!

[MayraF]

So I got a letter today and I have an appointment for a group session with the bariatric nurse at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital... In 2 days time!!! Waaaah! It's Friday the 4th! The letter says it's an outpatient appointment but after I might need to stay for 2-3 hours for further assessment and tests. Can anyone tell me what this entails? I'm still in a bit of shock because it all feels so real now! Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[princess4d4]

group session is usually just a chat about what different surgeries they offer etc

 

[G'G]

First appointment/pre assessment at Homerton hospital.

Which included seeing a bariatric nurse/dietician, seminar & first appointment with a surgeon. I was also given a target of losing 5-10% of my excess weight by the bariatric nurse/dietician.

This is what happened at my first appointment, congrats the first step of your journey.

 

[TrulySlim]

When did u have to lose the 5-10% by?

 

[princess4d4]

its usually by time you go in for surgery i got told 5/10% in my letter with my date

 

[MayraF]

Is this 5-10% target thing even for those who have already done the 6 months weight management course?

 

[princess4d4]

no clue sorry as i didnt have to do the course

 

[TrulySlim]

So I met my surgeon yday @ Homerton and he agreed w/ me that the sleeve would be the best option for me.

He told me that they are now going to discuss my case w/ the MDT and also find out about funding (my face was like :-/ as I thought they would've done that already).

He went on to say that there is something like a 2 year weight something something I have to show before having surgery (I can't piece that together as I just blanked out when he said 2 years... So someone help me with filling in the blanks).

He finally concluded that, if I don't recieve a letter or hear anything in a few months time; I should phone his secretary.


Questions:
Has anyone been in this same position?

How long did it take to get feedback about funding?

How long did it take to get a response from the MDT?


On the plus side.... When they weighed me I am down 6. Something kilos!!! Yayy!! Let's just round that up to a stone. Lol

 

[Llora]

So I met my surgeon yday @ Homerton and he agreed w/ me that the sleeve would be the best option for me.

I know what you feel about those *blank* monents i had a few on my appointments at the hospital. I am with different hospital (st georges one). But i am as confused about everything as you. I had my appointment with consultant surgeon on Jan 23... Still have not heard anything from them yet! Called the hospital twice already.. And they just keep saying i am still on the list waiting for the mdt meeting and their decision. I am scared.. I keep having worse and worse thoughts.. I am trully worried there is something wrong and i will be dismissed for some stupid thing or mistake in the system.. The waiting is killing me.. I feel like my life is on hold.. Even denied to go to see my parents on easter (they live in different country).. Just incase i get a call or a letter from the hospital.. I lost the weight they asked me to.. But i feel like it will come back.. Its going to be 3 months of waiting soon!!!

Is it normal? Has anyone had their first appointments with st george hospital at the end of january? Have you had any letters or news from them yet??

And to make everything even worse my glucose levels were high (got blood test done last week but i am not diagnosed with diabeties yet.) Just really think my body is starting to give up.. As it cant handle all the weight anymore.. And all this waiting makes me feel even worse.

On the other hand i Really hope you wont need to wait that long and wont go through what i am experiencing atm. Good luck! I hope you will get your letter soon with good news of course

 

[TrulySlim]

I really hope so too!! 'Cause the first thing he said was my blood results & dietician notes are missing :-/

But anyway I don't want to think negative.

Hopefully we can get answers to our questions

 

[Llora]

I really hope so too!! 'Cause the first thing he said was my blood results & dietician notes are missing :-/

But anyway I don't want to think negative.

Hopefully we can get answers to our questions

Oh well i thought i was the only one that unlucky. they actually lost my referral letter.. Well they could not find it on the day of my appointment with consultant surgeon.

I try my best to think positive too at least we can support each other with all that. Sometimes it is good to know that other people are feeling similar to you.. As then i dont feel like i am the only one in the world..

 

[TrulySlim]

Yess, you're not alone!!

 

[Stacey83]

Hi Truly Slim,

I'm a fellow Homerton person and I think I can fill in your blanks... They no longer work on a "funding" system, there's new criteria which apparently came into effect a few months back that they take into consideration at the MDT meetings this includes have been obese for a minimum of the last 2 years (there you go!), have a BMI of over 40 or weight related illness if lower (e.g diabetes), have tried a weight management programme for at least 6 months (I.e weight watchers, slimming world etc) if you wanted to find out the exact wording give Diane Bushell at Homerton a call, she is very helpful. I only found out about the changes at a patient support group that she spoke at, these are the third Thursday of every month in the evening at Homerton and area great way of getting support, meeting other bariatric patients, meeting staff etc...

I had my first appointment at Homerton on 23 January this year and my surgery is scheduled for 30 April, a three month wait. I have however spent the last 2 years getting all the various tests carried out including a sleep study, tier 3 weight management programme, psychological therapy, dietician etc...

I wish you all the best with your journey.
Stacey

 

[TrulySlim]

they take into consideration at the MDT meetings this includes have been obese for a minimum of the last 2 years (there you go!), have a BMI of over 40 or weight related illness if lower (e.g diabetes), have tried a weight management programme for at least 6 months (I.e weight watchers, slimming world etc)

Been obese for more than 2 years... ? (all my life)
BMI over 40..... ? (was 50.1 on referral, now 49.??)
Weight Related illness..... ? (PCOS)
Weight management programmes..... ? (A whole lot)

I believe I qualify, I guess it's just a waiting game now.

Hopefully not too long ayee!

 

[terrilou]

Hi TrulySlim,

I'm not at the same hospital, but it took almost a year from my first appointment at the Hospital until I've got my date for surgery. I had to see a Psychologist as I have issues with bingeing. I saw him twice and the Dietician 3 times. As I had continued to lose weight, it was agreed at the MDT in January that I would be put on the waiting list. I received a call from the Surgeon's Secretary on Friday 11th April to offer me a surgery date of 15th May.

Not sure if this will help you, but it gives you another idea of a different hospital's process.

At my last appointment, I was told that as I was on the waiting list, I should be operated on before Christmas. I think they give you a long timescale just to prepare you.

Good luck on your journey. xx

 

[Stacey83]

Been obese for more than 2 years... ? (all my life)
BMI over 40..... ? (was 50.1 on referral, now 49.??)
Weight Related illness..... ? (PCOS)
Weight management programmes..... ? (A whole lot)

I believe I qualify, I guess it's just a waiting game now.

Hopefully not too long ayee!

The same as me! Keep us posted and good luck!

 

[TrulySlim]

The same as me! Keep us posted and good luck!

I will definitely!!

 

[TrulySlim]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! IVE JUST GOT A CALL FROM HOMERTON AND IVE GOT A DATE!!!!!!

It's in JUNE... YESSS, JUNE LIKE NEXT MONTH!!!

Need it get back on track with eating and exercising. Lool


Okay okay... What happens @ Pre-Assessment? All I know is that it's a whole day thing.

 

[terrilou]

My pre-op was just under 2 hours, they did blood pressure, took lots of blood, ECG etc. Then I met the physiotherapist, who told me about sitting up for 24 hours after surgery, gave me a little breathing gadget for after the surgery and told me about having to get up and walk after 4 hours, then every 2 hours after that. Hope that helps. Good luck for the op day. xx

 

[Stacey83]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! IVE JUST GOT A CALL FROM HOMERTON AND IVE GOT A DATE!!!!!!

It's in JUNE... YESSS, JUNE LIKE NEXT MONTH!!!

Need it get back on track with eating and exercising. Lool

Okay okay... What happens @ Pre-Assessment? All I know is that it's a whole day thing.

Woooohooo!!!! Well done! I'm 9 day's post op now and it was all really straight forward, can't fault Homerton, they're fantastic!

At my pre op I had bloods, met the pre surgery team and went through a basic health questionnaire to aide the team on day of surgery - previous ops, allergies etc, had swab in mouth and groin for MRSA, got weighed, went to a group session with the dieticians where we learnt all about pre and post op eating plans etc, met my surgeon and that was it. They say all day but I was there at 10.30am and home by 4pm. Would have been quicker if there wasn't so much waiting! It was a good day. I took my sister to the group session, that was helpful as there is SO MUCH to take in and she picked up different things from me.

I'd really advise going to the Thursday evening group session next week at 6.30pm to get support from fellow patients and ask any questions in an informal environment!

Well done! X