How did your GP react when asked about a Bypass ?

[Fat Again]

I just had to write this down because it's unbelieveable:

I went to my GP (of 7 years) to enquire about a Gastric Bypass and see about getting help with Post Natal Depression.

Her reaction was disgusting and upsetting, I left her surgery feeling near suicidal.

Her answer to my excessive weight gain was:

"just stop eating & don't fill your fridge with food"

When I told her about my joint problems she said:

"What do you expect being so fat"

When I told her I was depressed after the birth of my baby and found comfort eating helped, she replied:

" Just go back to work sooner"

And when I mentioned if she could refer me for a Gastric Bypass, she replied:

"Im not going to waste my time"

As you can imagine I came away feeling ten times worse than before I went in.

She is now my EX GP.

My new GP was understanding and very helpful, he did refer me for surgery, but my PCT would not fund it, therefore Im going private.

Has anyone else had such a bad response from their GP ?

I'm actually considering making a complaint against her, but not sure what I would actually achieve.

 

[thinkbethin]

I would definitely repaort that attitude of hers. Some GP's just have a terrible bedside manner so to speak. Sorry you did'nt get the funding but I just want to wish you luck with your op and well done on making the decision to get yourself back to a healthier weightxx

 

[Mixman]

It was my doctor who actually suggested WLS to me. I haven't seen him since but when I do, I will thank him!

 

[PinkyButtonz]

Hi Fa,

I would also report that dr. Who does she think she is?

My petite size 8 GP was fantastic. I had been at my new practice for almost 2 years, but only started seeing my GP for a few months. My old GP would of said NO .

My GP had seen my health deteriorate and my meds increase and increase. She knew by my notes I'd lost over 9st a few years back. I explain I didn't feel I could do it again the way I had (CD) before. I told her I felt like my weight was literally killing me. She didn't hesitate and said she would refer me to the surgeon. Though she only knew little about the operation she thought it was my best option.

I saw my GP last week and she was beeming and said she had been on a lecture or course. They discussed the positive affect bypass has for diabetics.

She's all up for me having the op .

 

[bungle1999]

Do you know what? I am shocked by the amount of negative attitudes from so called health professionals. I have been exceptionally fortunate and my GP has been nothing but thoughtful, helpful, sensitive and most of all supportive.
I am so sorry to hear of your experience and I trust you will not be seeing that GP again. To have post-natal depression which manifests itself (as mine did) in over eating needs to be treated appropriately as soon as possible, so as to avoid any further, worsened effects.
I think you have done a fab thing in seeing a different GP and I am sorry you did not get funding but truly hope you will be happier and healthier after going private.
Take care.
xxxx

 

[Caroline101061]

I said to my GP, 'Ive come to the end of the road - can you refer me for a gastric bypass' - he called the PCT infront of me to check where he should refer me to and then dictated the letter to the hospital - dont know who is more thrilled with my weight loss - him or me!

I really think for your piece of mind you should report this GP to the PCT at least, stop her from upsetting someone else.

 

[zetacatty]

I, too, was one of the lucky ones. After battling with my weight I tentatively mentioned a gastric band to my GP - he thought it was a great idea! I'm now having a bypass next week. xx

 

[rambo]

I too went to my doc,s as i wanted to see about help with my weight,told him i wanted to see if i fit the criteria for wls he checked there and then sorted it out on his computer gave me a sheet of paper from the computer with a fone number and a code number on rang it and it was that simple my journey began , he could not have been more helpful, a great doc

 

[Karlos]

My doctor suggested it to me too. He then refereed me to the hospital diabetic specialist Dr Stephens at Trafford to garner his support. I was the first patient my GP's practice had refered and they are over the moon with my results so far.

They get more excited about it than I do each month, and have asked me if I would be prepared to talk to any other patients that they are considering for WLS who might want to pick my brains. I of course said I would be happy to help give something back.

The OP's ex GP sounds like a right dickhead and you were right to change. On what grounds was your referral refused though?

 

[Fat Again]

My doctor suggested it to me too. He then refereed me to the hospital diabetic specialist Dr Stephens at Trafford to garner his support. I was the first patient my GP's practice had refered and they are over the moon with my results so far.

They get more excited about it than I do each month, and have asked me if I would be prepared to talk to any other patients that they are considering for WLS who might want to pick my brains. I of course said I would be happy to help give something back.

The OP's ex GP sounds like a right dickhead and you were right to change. On what grounds was your referral refused though?

I didn't meet my PCT's criteria of being diabetic and/or having sleep apnea.

 

[margaretmc]

Hi
My Doctor was and is really lovely and helpfully she said go for it . She told me that her neice got it done in USA and done very well . Good luck hun .
Margaret xx

 

[PinkyButtonz]

I didn't meet my PCT's criteria of being diabetic and/or having sleep apnea.

I was told by the bariatric nurse, with or without comorbidity my PCT don't refuse if you have a BMI over 50.

Probably a silly question, have you checked you PCT's criteriais?

 

[Big an Bouncy]

Hi Fatagain,I dont have diabetes or apneoa bmi 45,but I have joint probs,hernia,prolapse vagina,high colesterol/raised bp,reflux,fatty liver.the doc is trying to make a case for me to have surgery.Maz x

 

[Fat Again]

Hi Fatagain,I dont have diabetes or apneoa bmi 45,but I have joint probs,hernia,prolapse vagina,high colesterol/raised bp,reflux,fatty liver.the doc is trying to make a case for me to have surgery.Maz x

Sounds like you have a good Dr Maz if he's willing to make a case for you, fingers crossed you get your surgery x

 

[Fat Again]

I was told by the bariatric nurse, with or without comorbidity my PCT don't refuse if you have a BMI over 50.

Probably a silly question, have you checked you PCT's criteriais?

Yeah I did check the criteria, my BMI is just over 50, but because I have no Diabetes or sleep apnea I don't qualify. South West Essex PCT will not accept any less, my GP has claimed I am a special case because of my weight problem history, but they said NO.

Hey Ho I wasn't expecting help from the NHS anyway to be honest .

 

[Fat Again]

Hi
My Doctor was and is really lovely and helpfully she said go for it . She told me that her neice got it done in USA and done very well . Good luck hun .
Margaret xx

Thanks Margaret
Hope you get a date soon
x

 

[stripeytop]

My doctor said I don't meet the criteria (sleep aponea and/or diabetes.) but would refer me anyway. I'm not holding out much hope and might need to start thinking about going private. I only saw my doctor last wednesday and already i'm impatient.

 

[hopelesscase]

my gp refered me to weight management clinic and when i went back to him to say they were writing to him to ask him to apply for funding for a gastric bypass he said "my god thats a little drastic but if thats what the specialist i refered you to is recommending so be it"
i have been in the dr to collect my scrits and he totally ignors me if he is behind reception. It was only the other day that the receptionist said he hasnt got a clue who you are. They had apparently said to him whilst having a brew did you see carole when she came in the other day? He said no and the receptionist said how could you miss her she was stood in front of you and he swore blind that i hadnt been in.
He has told them next time im in i have to bob in and see him. lol

 

[Anita75]

what a horrible horrible GP - i cant believe the attitude; how is that in any way productive or helpful? unbelievable!!!

I have to admit, my referal was a bit less conventional (i.e. not referred by GP). GP referred me to hospital/Endicrominology for something NOT related to my weight, but on my last consultation, the (hospital) doctor asked me how i felt about my weight and told me that if i wanted, he could refer me to the bariatric surgical team within the same hospital – and that’s how my journey started – i bypassed my GP; and up to that point, never even thought of WLS as an option, it opened a door i didn’t even know was there... happy days!!!

 

[fat-girl-slim08]

I am so sorry to hear you were treated like this and I am appauled by this.
I have never been treated like this, but this is one of the reasons I went private because I just knew I wouldn't have got anywhere with my GP. They can be so Unsimpathetic and just don't understand how we are feeling. I struggled with deppresion for years and years and they fobbed me off so many times and my life was just non existant really, If it wasn't for Me doing something about it I would still have no life.
Good luck x