Hola!

[kelly1]

Hi Everybody :wave_cry:

Went to see my Dr today, got a referral for Sunderland, so here I am!! Any info greatly appreciated. Here's to a skinny new me!!!! :flirt2:

Many thanks

Kelly

 

[Samsara]

Hiya and welcome to the site. I'm new here too Does your referral mean you have your funding approved?! All PCTs seem to work differently so it gets a bit confusing! Nic

 

[kelly1]

Hi Nic, I really don't know! lol! I asked my Dr if the PCT had to then decide whether to fund it or not and his response was he didn't think so! Said I meet the criteria so it shouldn't be a problem. Makes me think maybe its automatically approved?? but like I say, not 100% sure I understand any of it!! where have you been referred to? x

 

[Samsara]

My GP (after much persuasion - he isn't a fan of bariatric surgery) had to write to the PCT to state my case, I had to write a patient letter too and lots of medical letters were sent also, including one from my neurologist, as I have an incurable neurological condition which is classed as a co-morbidity in other PCTs but not here - typically. I got approved for a surgical assessment (which does not mean I have funding for surgery). I had my assessment and from what I understand, the MDT (multi disciplinary team) will meet in January to discuss me. If they agree at the MDT meeting I am suitable for surgery, they have to apply to the PCT for surgery funding and as far as I understand it at that point the PCT can still say no :/ Meanwhile, they want me to go for an ECG so I am still waiting for an appointment for that! If the PCT say no apparently we can appeal the decision...

I didn't meet the criteria in the standard sense as my BMI was 49.7 or something when I first asked about it. My GP said my BMI needed to be over 50 but that the PCT had recently changed the criteria and it now needed to be over 55!

All this is of course after trying everything else that one needs to in order to get to this stage.

I guess if you match the criteria then there is no question over funding and it is automatic? Have you been for an assessment yet (dietician/surgeon/psychologist etc)?

At least you are in the process anyway - yey! x x

 

[tartanlady]

Hi and welcome Kelly1