Introduction and Questiton

[♥ Nicki ♥]

Hello, hope this is the right place to post.
I'm new to this site but i'm a member of minimins. I've been researching options for wls for a good couple of months, i'm almost certain i won't get funding on the nhs, in hants you need a bmi of over 60 and i'm just over 50. I'm struggling to work/walk/move/breathe and no one seems very keen to help. I don't have any savings or the ability to get a loan so by the time i've saved enough to get the op, i'll probably have a bmi over 60.
I've been trying my hardest to do weightwatchers but its so hard, i have severe depression and my coping mechanism is to either eat nothing or eat everything.

My question is from when you first applied for funding on the nhs, how long was it before you're operation? If private how long till you first had an appointment did you have the op?

If i need to save i'm going to go with the band purely because of the cost, if my some miracle i get nhs funding, i think they'd prob recommend a bypass. Any advice you could give would be much appriciated.

 

[gemmas85]

hi there. i didnt want to read and run as i am based in cyprus with the military, i'm still under nhs and this whole criteria thing has done my head in. when i went to see the doc to apply for funding the surgeon said that i was eligable for the op as my bmi was between 40 and 50. several weeks later i went back to see a different doc who told me the criteria had changed and the only way i could get funding was to put on the excess weight which kind of defeats the point of having wls. so now im going private i went to see the surgeon (in cyprus) on the 3rd of march who said he could fit me in the following week. my only problem was arranging child caqre etc so im now booked in on the 24th for a bypass and i am so excited. This probably is not much help but you're not alone in being let down by the nhs

 

[lamornamiss]

Have you got any co-morbidities e.g diabeties, sleep aponea, etc
If you have they will help you to get WLS on the NHS
Welcome to the site you will get some great advise from everyone on here

 

[jaxx]

Hi Nicki, welcome to the forum. It's been a great source of information and support on my weight loss journey.

Surgery criteria all depends on which PCT you fall under. I asked my GP for bypass surgery last August and perhaps because my BMI was 61 at the time I got funding very quickly and my surgery was 18th of January this year. My sister on the other hand has asked for gastric banding surgery and has been told to go under a weight management scheme before they'll consider applying for funding. Her BMI isn't as bad as mine but she does have type 2 diabetes. She only lives 3 miles away from me.

It might be worth talking to your GP and emphasise the problems you have walking and moving and breathing as well as the depression. You never know, they might just get the ball rolling and hopefully you'll get funding.

Sorry I couldn't be of any more help.

 

[dottychic]

Hi and welcome, Im in Manchester and Ive been waiting since last May/June. I have an appointment in May and I dont know how much longer after that..Its wait wait wait and wait a bit more it seems....lol. x

 

[smilergem]

Hello there, my story is a bit different. I have been trying to get wls for four years. I was turned down twice for funding, which was devastating. However at my third attempt in December, I was accepted at long last. I had my first appointment at Taunton a couple of weeks ago, and my pre op should be in the next month or two, then the op a further 6-8 weeks after that. Please don't get disheartened though, I seem to be one of the minority on this site, everyone else seems to have got through the process a lot quicker than me. I guess it could be because I live in Cornwall (about 10 miles from Lands End), and it seems everything moves slowly down here.
I hope your journey is smooth, and that you are successful, sending best wishes xxxx

 

[gaelic girl]

Hi NIKKI
I live in Glasgow but had my op down privately in Manchester so can't really help but just wanted to say hi and welcome and good luck with your journey xx

 

[Fashionably Late]

Welcome! I cannot help to much with NHS as I went privately. I was told to expect a 12-14 month wait for a bypass on the NHS under my PCT.

When paying privately for a band, please remember that unless you choose the package correctly that you will need to budget for band fills. There are some wonderful surgeons that will do the bypass in an NHS as a private patient and it will cost less than in a private hospital. I know Ameet Patel is one such surgeon who is also highly regarded.

I had my bypass at the end of November and I am almost 5 stone lighter and my life couldn't be better.

 

[♥ Nicki ♥]

Thanks for all your replies, i've emailed the local PALS office and spoken to a few private companies, the hospital group and wls seem to be the front runners but will need about 5k if i can get my bmi under 50, i work part time and that kills me. I struggle because i'm certain this is the only option that will work for me, whats gonna happen to me if i can't save the money

 

[cah-ching]

Hi Nicki,

I too just wanted to say welcome to the site.
I can't advise you on the NHS/PCT thing - I'm having my op done privately because of the hassle I'm having thus far.
What I will say though is, don't go with the band because it's cheaper, go with it because it's right for you - even if you have to pay a little more (if you have it). Also do your research on your care providers ... the cheapest aren't always the best.

Take care and please let us know how you get on.

Once again :welcome:

xx
http://www.wlsurgery.com/members/27808--nicki-.html

 

[phatmomma]

I have a much cheaper solution for you.

Move to Wolverhampton, our pct will support you with funding xx

 

[donnaahmadyfar]

Hi i am new to the site aswell i didnt deal with the funding the doctors wrote to the pct or something and the next thing i knew they said i was eligable but this was like 2 years ago i been down a long path and just finally had the bypass had ballon before this and loads of psyc councelling which helped heaps hope things move along for you

 

[sugga]

Just to say hi and welcome to the forum. xx

 

[Kevin1708]

Hi and welcome . . . It would seem the waiting lists and criteria differ greatly depending on the PCT you fall under . . . I agree wholeheartedly with others that your decision should be based on best medical advice for you and not your pocket . . . !

One thing is for sure, NHS funding will become harder and harder to get (economic climate!) ~ a requirement of a BMI of over 60 is ridiculous . . . NICE Guidelines are clear that Bariatric surgery should be recommended as a treatment for adults with obesity if all of the following criteria are fulfilled:

· BMI of 40 or more, or between 35 and 40 and other significant disease (for example, type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure) that could be improved if they lost weight
· all appropriate non-surgical measures have been tried but have failed to achieve or maintain adequate, clinically beneficial weight loss for at least 6 months
· the person has been receiving or will receive intensive management in a specialist obesity service
· the person is generally fit for anaesthesia and surgery
· the person commits to the need for long-term follow-up.
***Bariatric surgery is also recommended as a first-line option (instead of lifestyle interventions or drug treatment) for adults with a BMI of more than 50 in whom surgical intervention is considered appropriate.***

At > 50BMI you fit the bill with or without co-morbidities e.g diabetes, sleep apnoea, etc. I would recommend you get a letter of support for your GP and pay a visit to you local MP xx

 

[weeble]

I'm in Manchester and it took about 14 months to get funding. I went to the Doctor in the April. Had my first appointment in December and had the operation in June last year. There was no difference in the timing for band or bypass.