Hello

[Mister]

Hi everyone
I am aged 63 and like most of you battled most of my life with diets of all kinds without any lasting effect. I lost over 3 stones a few years back but its all back on again.
I have a few questions, if anyone can help I will be greatful.
Am i too old at 63 to be funded by the NHS.
I am over 21 stone and am now struggling with my job.
I could just about pay privately and as I am diabetic and have high blood pressure need to take control asap.
I have been to my GP many times over the years about dieting without much support, so i'm not to sure what to expect from him if I ask about surgery.

 

[slaz]

Hi Mister, a special welcome to this forum from me as I am male, 65 and weighed 21 stones before starting on the road to WLS.
I didn't discuss age with my GP but as I had a BMI of under 50 I wasn't eligible for any help from the NHS either. You can get a tremendous amount of information on here about different surgical procedures and different providers both in the UK and abroad. Anything you are not sure about just ask and you will find everybody on here keen to help. Good luck.

 

[mummy2309]

just wanted to say hi and good luck with your wls, my friend is 64 and has just had a bypass done on the nhs but she had bmi over 50 and medical problems, there no harm in asking if you get the funding then great if not you said you can go private

 

[Mister]

Thanks for the info, I feek a bit encouraged that others my age have had surgery.

slaz what was your first step going private, did you start with your GP or just contact a clinic after researching this great forum.

mummy2309 I take it the nhs surgeon recommended the bypass option for your friend after considering the medical stuff, or was that her choice?.

I suppose I am in the same position as most, trying to work out whats best for me by researching the forum and findind a doctor who I can trust to give the best for me advice. "So the journey begins"

 

[Mister]

Sorry duplicated post

 

[icey]

Good luck with your G.P Mister, fingers crossed for you

karen x

 

[Wolfeyes]

Hi Mister and welcome to the forum!
I am a 40 yr however I had a BMI of 33 I too have complications Type1 Diabetic (30yr+) high blood pressure and a beginnings of Kidney failure etc oh and overweight! all the usual for having Diabetes for 30yrs. I was put forward by my Diabetic Consultant not my GP.

If you look on the NHS website it tells you on there that if you have a BMI of 35+ with medical conditions you will be eligible for WLS or if no conditions but have a BMI 40+ then you will also be eligible!

If you have a good Diabetic team and a consultant maybe asking them for advice on WLS
I think all medical professions rather not mention it because of the NHS monies are low etc. so you have to ask and push for it.

I hope this helps slightly! This info is what I had found out for my area (Cornwall)

Good luck in your journey
Kaz
x

 

[Mister]

Thanks Kaz
My diabetes is type 2 diet controlled so am not sure how much sway this will hold. I also have high blood pressure, and like you the start of kidney disease. I also have sleep apnoea and a slight heart problem, so with my BMI 40+ you think I still may qualify for wls ?. This is really good advice and I shall make a GP appointment. I was going to say I will self fund (depending how much it costs) but will now not mention that and ask direct questions.
Thanks again.

 

[Wolfeyes]

Your GP should refer you to the weight management that the NHS run in every city/town.

So being T2 diabetic you are based under your GP? do you have a specialist nurse maybe ask her.

I cant say yes or no whether you will qualify but in my opinion you should! keep pushing and finally they will give in! My story is a little complicated and very long winded however the main was that I am costing the NHS more money by being over weight! and having high blood pressure and being a T1 Diabetic and having a bad back too which all require medication! so if I could get my weight down then blood pressure lowers, I wont be needing so much insulin (which has proven in the last 6 days!) less pain killers for my back etc as I do get all my prescriptions free so costing them a small fortune so they look at the long run in these medical conditions if you reduce some not all as some cant be but most can be reduced less meds less money!
At the end of the day the NHS are trying to save money anyway they can!
you just need to be firm and pushy at the end of the day its your health and your life you want to prolong!
Hope you get it sorted soon
Kaz
x