I need advice on getting Gastric bypass via NHS

[Gentlegiant]

Please advise me...

Hello all,

I am 23stones and i have tried everything possible to loose weight. Even locked my jaws permanently for 3 month (3 times) to loose weight but i never really loose enough before i start to gain it back and i know my only option for a normal weight would be gastric bypass or banding.

I initially discussed this with my GP who was very unhelpful, then i changed surgery and had this doctor that was God sent. Was willing to see it through that i get funding for the surgery.

Unfortunately, he has now left the surgery nd i now have a new doctor who is again reluctant to help even though the endriconolgist has confirmed that i need the surgery.

A formal letter was sent to the luton and dunstable hospital on my behalf and true to the endriconologists prediction, i was declined on the fact that i am not diabetic (yet) even though my BMI is 40 and i have a family history of diabetes. I am now in the process of appealing but like i said, my new doctor is not showing much interest in helping me which is really frustrating to me. So for those who have been successful in getting the PCT funding, could you please advise what i can do to make this dream come true for me? I have written a personal letter to the doctor already, explaining what difference the weight loss will make to my life in general. you know not being judged by my looks first before anything else....

so please i need help here as i am desperate and i cany afford to pay for the surgery myself...

 

[Nezzy]

Hello Gentle giant and welcome!
I don't know what to advice as it was my doctor who asked me if I would consider surgery as I had high blood pressure and he couldn't control it, I am very overweight for my height and my only condition was high bp and depression, hope someone will come along soon to help!

Take Care
Anez xxxx

 

[thinkbethin]

Hi there and :welcome2:to mini's. Do you have other GP's at the practice? Maybe one of them will be more willing to help you get the funding from the PCT for your area. There have been many others here that have had to do this. Also has your old GP recorded on the computer that you need this op? If so it should help you along with a willing GP. I really hope you get the help you need. Good luck xxGaynorxx

 

[margaretmc]

Hi Gentlegiant
ID just like to welcome you to minimins first . If I was you I would go back to the Doctor and ask him/her to be referred to the obese clinic at your local hospital or the nearest one to you . You might have to be firm with the Doctor . I wonder if the endriconoligist could refer you for the surgery . I`m not to good at this but the will be someone along that will be able to help you better . Good luck and take care .
Margaret XX

 

[Fashionably Late]

I think the funding will come down to what your PCT's criteria is. Do you know what PCT you fall under?

 

[ilovemy5babies]

welcome and good luck
i cant help because ive only just started on this journey hope you get the help you need x

 

[katstofat]

hi wellcome to minnimins this is a great site and im sure some one will come up with something that will help you. i did not have a problem ,i asked my gp he agreed at once no arguments , and i was referd right away to hospital. the funding was done by them i didnt have to do anything. i think if your gp is not helpfull you should change practice after all its your health and they should do all they can for you . good luck and dont give up

 

[elffie01]

Welcome to the forums. I cant help either as I am only just finding out things myself but I do know funding is different in each PCT.
You are in the best place for advice and support so thats one hurdle over

 

[dreamofbeingslim]

Hi and welcome to minis it is a fantastic place. I am still waiting to see if I can get funding too. It has been before the panel twice but still no answer they are waiting to here from the dr at the obesity clinic. Could your endocrinologist refer you to the pct for funding? Look up on the computer what you pct guidelines are for wls. Good luck hope you manage to get it but be prepared for a long wait I have been waiting for funding since before Christmas. Its only thanks to the suggestion of these lovely people on here that adviced me to keep chasing them that I have heard anything now. Hopefully they will give me a decision soon. Sorry waffling now so will go good luck.

 

[Gentlegiant]

Thank you all for your very valuable advice. The PCT in my area gives criteria as follows:- BMI 40+, diabetes or other serious health issues.. I fall under the BMi category and although i am not diabetic, i have a family histroy of diabetes but this didnt seem good enough forthem. anyway, mygp told me 2 weeks ago that he got a letter / form from the PCT asking for details about me. He told me he would fill the form ad send back to them. When i tried to find out what he had written down, i didnt get much reponse. He is just not very helpful nlikemy previous GP... my fingers are crossed now and i will be calling the surgery tommorow to ceck for updates.... thanks all again for your support. I will keep u posted....

 

[tubbyspud]

Thank you all for your very valuable advice. The PCT in my area gives criteria as follows:- BMI 40+, diabetes or other serious health issues.. I fall under the BMi category and although i am not diabetic, i have a family histroy of diabetes but this didnt seem good enough forthem. anyway, mygp told me 2 weeks ago that he got a letter / form from the PCT asking for details about me. He told me he would fill the form ad send back to them. When i tried to find out what he had written down, i didnt get much reponse. He is just not very helpful nlikemy previous GP... my fingers are crossed now and i will be calling the surgery tommorow to ceck for updates.... thanks all again for your support. I will keep u posted....

Hi as far as im aware you can request from your GP perhaps call his secretary for a copy of all correspondance regarding the application for funding, it's all about you so you should be able to request the information hun xxx

 

[dreamofbeingslim]

Hope you get sorted soon. As Vics says you are entitled to see what was written about you. Good luck.

 

[candie]

GG you are deffo entitled to see the info the GBP is sending to the PCT.Mine filled it all in while I was thereAlso pester the PCT to death when the info has been sent, and they will be dying to get you on the table to get rid of you
You are in the right place here for any help and advice I am 2.5 weeks post op and feel fab so keep fighting

 

[Caroline101061]

Hiya - do you have any comorbidities? High Blood Pressure, Sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, PCOS (sorry dont know if you are girl or a boy!), gall bladder issues or generally any aches and pains that could be directly attributed to your weight? Its all grist for the mill and should be put on the form. Your GP might not have the best bedside manner but could still be on your side.

 

[phatmomma]

Hi, it is the law that you are entitled to see all records/notes made about you by a medical professional. If you want a copy of them some places charge you (eg when i worked in physio and solicitors wanted copies of patients records we charged £35 per copy), however i can't see a gp charging you for a copy and anyway in the first instance i am sure you'd be quite happy to read it off the pc screen.

Some (not sure if all) pct's insist you have tried other pathways first such as medication (xenical/reductil etc) and also dieticians before they see the surgery as a final option. Have you explored these avenues? If not it might be good to get your gp starting on some of these ideas.

I seriously hope you get what you need, i know the surgery will give you a whole new lease of life, good luck xx

 

[charley1987]

hi hun i am the same i have tried the diets the pills but not the jaw wireing.
i am type two diabetic i went through a lot befor they found out i even had it i put on 3 stone in under a month and they couldnt figure out what was wrote i was sent for brain scans ovary scans and kidney scan and lots of blood test it wasnt until they did a glucose intolarance test thats they found out i was diabetic.
i went to the doctors who was not very helpful but sent me to addanbrooks hospital in cambridge who were more helpful unlike huntingdon hospital who never really gave a **** even when it came to my diabetics.
but when i went to cambridge hospital i saw a lovely man who could see how unhappy i was an wrote a letter to the doctors am i was given a new lady doctor who could not do enoth to help me she gave me diet pills which sent me pchyo and then i was put on anti depressents but coz she could see how hard i was trying and still not lossing any weight and with the help of her and cambridge hospital they put in a bid for me to get the op but i was diclined and i got really down again and put on more weight but not long after ward i was told i got exepted for the op by someone else and i have been for my first appointment have my second and thierd on the 28th of september i cant wait.
just be strong and keep trying u will get there in the end it has taken me 3 years to be taken serious but it has worked just stick in there and keep ya chin up xxxxxxxxxx

 

[dreamofbeingslim]

Hi Charley, congratulations on getting your funding. I am still waiting for mine. I too am under Cambridgeshire PCT have been waiting since before Christmas. Hopefully they now have all the info they need to make a decision on the 12th August. Which hospital are you going to for your operation? Did you attend the obesity clinic at Addenbrookes? I found them so helpful and none judging. Good luck with your appt. Sorry to have hijacked this thread.

 

[fairyringuk]

Hi GG and welcome to minis. Sorry you have been turned down for funding, Luton do have strict criteria, all down to financial resources, but it is encouraging that the PC have written to your doctor for information, fingers crossed.
As others have said you are entitled to see your records, although many surgeries do charge for copies.
I am under L&D and have my second appt 18th August.
Good luck in your fight, look forward to hearing how you get on.

Jay xx

 

[Bonita]

Hello GG and welcome. You can demand to see your notes at anytime and they can't charge you for this either. Its only third parties with your permission that get charged.

Its worth everyone doing this at sometime in their life. My mother in law and I did it with our notes and spent a few days going through them, you would be suprised how much information was wrong in both sets of notes.

With regards to your doctor, are you in a practice? I went through all of my doctors whom all refused. It wasn't until my specialist wrote to them and insisted I was refered that they actually did it, then I was fast tracked in silly time.

You can also appeal to your PCT if you have co-morbidities such as Sleep Apnia, Asthma, High Blood Pressure, Type 2 Diabetes, Arthritis etc.

I hope you get this sorted soon.

xx

 

[Snowcrystal]

Please advise me...

Hello all,

I am 23stones and i have tried everything possible to loose weight. Even locked my jaws permanently for 3 month (3 times) to loose weight but i never really loose enough before i start to gain it back and i know my only option for a normal weight would be gastric bypass or banding.

I initially discussed this with my GP who was very unhelpful, then i changed surgery and had this doctor that was God sent. Was willing to see it through that i get funding for the surgery.

Unfortunately, he has now left the surgery nd i now have a new doctor who is again reluctant to help even though the endriconolgist has confirmed that i need the surgery.

A formal letter was sent to the luton and dunstable hospital on my behalf and true to the endriconologists prediction, i was declined on the fact that i am not diabetic (yet) even though my BMI is 40 and i have a family history of diabetes. I am now in the process of appealing but like i said, my new doctor is not showing much interest in helping me which is really frustrating to me. So for those who have been successful in getting the PCT funding, could you please advise what i can do to make this dream come true for me? I have written a personal letter to the doctor already, explaining what difference the weight loss will make to my life in general. you know not being judged by my looks first before anything else....

so please i need help here as i am desperate and i cany afford to pay for the surgery myself...

Someone had posted almost exactly the same dilemma a couple of weeks ago....There must be an awful lot of docs around that have no compassion at all.

Quite simply if there is no other doctor in the surgery that you can go to...I would change my surgery altogether...This is a huge decision on your part to be referred for surgery and you should at least have the chance to put your case to a surgeon or a bariatric team.

I hope you get this sorted out soon, try to keep strong in the mean time....Good luck.

Let us know how you get on.

(((hugs)))