Hello from Hampshire

[Harley_Q]

Hi
I'm just beginning my journey really, things have got out of control for me and I really feel like I don't have any option at 25st 7 lbs and a bmi of 57.6. I was thinking about the nhs route but I don't really want to wait 3 odd years and a lot of fight to get it.

I have the opportunity to borrow some money but it limits me to a band, I couldn't afford to borrow enough for a sleeve or a bypass although I think these would be a better option for me.

So really I just hunting around for info, gathering prices and deciding whether or not I can really afford this, maybe the question should be can I afford not too

 

[louloumoo]

Hi I'm just beginning my journey really, things have got out of control for me and I really feel like I don't have any option at 25st 7 lbs and a bmi of 57.6. I was thinking about the nhs route but I don't really want to wait 3 odd years and a lot of fight to get it. I have the opportunity to borrow some money but it limits me to a band, I couldn't afford to borrow enough for a sleeve or a bypass although I think these would be a better option for me. So really I just hunting around for info, gathering prices and deciding whether or not I can really afford this, maybe the question should be can I afford not too

Hi again...

Can u afford to get a band and it not work for u?? However there are lots and lots of high BMI people on here who have been very successful with a band.. X

 

[princess4d4]

sorry cant help with the private route but wanted to say hi and welcome

 

[Lincs Lass]

Hi and welcome

It may be worth looking in to the NHS route before paying out as areas differ so much it may not be the struggle you fear.

Good luck whatever path you take x

 

[NorthamptonGirl]

Welcome

I have been struggling around trying to find the money to go private and - touch wood - I may just have found enough to have a bypass.

I would say if you are going to have it done, why not have the right one? even if it means saving up for a few months first?

I don't know if you have looked into The Hospital Group? But they take a £500 deposit to secure the date of your choice, and you then have til 21 days before the op to pay, they can also put you on to a finance company - but they warned me you have to have a very good credit rating.

I agree with what you are saying about the NHS route.. I have the same thoughts myself, but I spoke to my doctor about it and got referred so that if it turned out I couldn't afford to go private I hadn't wasted any time on getting on the NHS journey.

Don't know if that helps or not? But good luck with whatever you decide to do x

 

[princess4d4]

The nhs route varies in areas I was lucky from referral to op was 8 months would have been 6 months had I not been having other investigations for something else done first

 

[natclaire33)]

Hi I am going to be having a sleeve gastrectomy done on the nhs.

I saw my gp a couple of years ago about my weight and he referred me to the Bodymorph programme which I did for six months.and at the time i wasn't considering wls and didn't meet the criteria for it anyway.

I then continued to attend a slimming club and still do, at the beginning of this year I again saw my gp and asked if he could refer me to the hospital to have a word with the bariatric team he said he couldn't directly but could send me to see the bariatric physician. I had wanted to be referred back to the bodymorph team but couldn't be as the funding for that service had been with drawn. To cut a long story short I saw her at the beginning of april and she sent a letter to the gp to say do the referral to the bariatric team, then saw the consultant on the 23rd may and also members of his team and now am waiting for a date fore my surgery.

I would say depending on where you live ( I am in portsmouth) ask your gp to refer you to the bariatric physician and take it from there, go and ask it may be a longer journey than going private but it will give you time to think and make a decision about which procedure is right for you, Good luck in your weightloss surgery journey,

 

[maychick]

I don't know about private, but I'm hoping to have my op on the nhs, still early for as I have 1st appointment 24th june..i'm very impatient but as other people have pointed out ,the waiting lists etc give you time to research the ops and come to terms with everything... good luck xx

 

[ladyluck14k]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Before you fork out all that money wouldnt it be worth looking into the NHS route first? Do you know it will actually take 3 years? It depends where you live I guess but for me it was a year from being referred until surgery and I can honestly say that year flew by and also it was a very informative process to make sure your aware of each surgery and the risks and also it's very very focused on mentally preparing you for surgery and keeping on track afterwards.

I wouldn't rush into something like this, I know we all wan our weight gone yesterday but it's such a massive change that it's something you should really take your time and consider and get as clued up as possible with beforehand.

I was dead set on having a gastric band and it wasnt until I went to a group meeting with the nhs bariatric nurse that I completely changed my mind and went for the bypass, that was 7 months in and im so glad I did change my mind.

Take your time and id say it's at least worth talking to someone from your local nhs bariatric department just to gauge average waiting times etc.

Whatever you decide, good luck and you will find lots of info and help on here.

 

[Curls40]

Hi
I'm just beginning my journey really, things have got out of control for me and I really feel like I don't have any option at 25st 7 lbs and a bmi of 57.6. I was thinking about the nhs route but I don't really want to wait 3 odd years and a lot of fight to get it.

I have the opportunity to borrow some money but it limits me to a band, I couldn't afford to borrow enough for a sleeve or a bypass although I think these would be a better option for me.

So really I just hunting around for info, gathering prices and deciding whether or not I can really afford this, maybe the question should be can I afford not too

Hello I'm n hampshire too,
I've been too the doctors on and off over 10 years about my weight,
I've asked about five years ago for a gastric band and was refused funding , basically my bmi wasn't enough,
Nine months ago went to docs with feet pain, she referred me to the tier three programme at the spire hospital.i lost 24lbs. The decision was made I could carry on with my weight loss alone without surgery , I went back to docs ,desperate ,
Had my consultation this week , I'm booked in for September.
Don't give up hope , keeping retuning to doctors, xxx

 

[los in it]

Just in to say hello

 

[Wilsnip]

Hi Harley Q and Curls
Im in Hampshire too. Harley Q, I am NHS and its taken nine months for me to get to the point I am now. I have my pre-op assessment in September and then my op in October. I would recommend you go to your GP and get referred asap, the provider of the Tier 3 in Southampton is Weigh Ahead run from the Spire.

Curls - are you having your op at the Spire (through the NHS)? I would love know how your doing and your experiences.

 

[Curls40]

Hello Wilsnip
Yes having mine done at the spire , southampton,with micheal , pre op sep 18th . Op 25th.
Funded by Nhs,
I will be 13mths into my journey since I started the tier 3 , when i have my mini bypass.

 

[Wilsnip]

Hi Curls
Fantastic, are you looking forward to it or a bit nervous. You will have to let me know how you get on. When do you start your liver shrinking diet?

 

[Curls40]

11 September I start pre op diet,

 

[yvonne83]

Just butting in to ask - those of you that have had a 6 or nine month journey - did it feel too fast or rushed or have you felt you had enough time to prepare mentally and physically?

Many thanks

 

[natclaire33)]

my journey to wls will be about eight months in total from first seeing the bariatric physician to having my surgery on the 7th October, I would say it's seemed a steady precess and has given me enough time to think about things and start to prepare for surgery and after the surgery aswell.

 

[Kimberly]

Have a look at the nhs guidelines for Hampshire about funding , changes are happening , as your BMI is above 50 you might qualify sooner ! I would suggest researching before you pay out . Look Hampshire care pathway Baratric surgery . Then once you know down load and take the information to your GP good luck x

 

[Kimberly]

Iv just looked googled but sorry I can't paste it I'm rubbish at things like that but look at
Clinical commissioning policy : complex and specialist obesity nhs
It does state that with a bmi of over 50 Baratric surgery should be considered as first line option . Yeah but you must fulfil the criteria . So it might not take you as long as you think. Save your money for other things .
I would add personally that all the classes I went through prior to my bypass have helped me on my journey after WLS .especially the psychological help