Miss Jelly Has Questions :D

[missjelly]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but oh well, if not..sorry

I have now literally tried everything and nothing is working. So my current course of action is looking into WLS.

At the moment, I'm pretty sure the best option for me would be a lap-band (hence the prefix )

I have a few questions though if someone might be kind enough to shed some light.

So here goes...

1) NHS vs Private? - Waiting times, funding likelyhood, how to approach GP, cost of private etc

2) Pain - Not really TOO much of an issue but I'm curious anyhow

3) Effectiveness? - Not sure if that's the best word but, in comparison to conventional "diets" how well has the WLS worked for you?

Ok, that was pretty long but I'm desparate to find a solution

Anyhelp is greatly appreciated!

Miss J x

 

[shelbell]

Hi Miss Jelly, am I right in thinking you are in Wales? If so, then NHS funding chances are practically nil unfortunately!

I had a bypass, so can't help with pain and effectiveness of a band sorry.

 

[missjelly]

Yea I'm in Wales I did figure as much. They're really stingy over here.

I had a leg operation scheduled in England before I moved, with the date AFTER I moved and the Welsh NHS cancelled it because they wouldn't pay >_< now I have odd legs.

Is it worth a shot asking the GP anyway?

 

[shelbell]

Always worth a shot, but last year they funded 12 surgeries across the whole of Wales, and that tends to be patients who are super-morbidly obese.

 

[missjelly]

What are the "best" criterier? (for want of a better word)

 

[BBS]

1) Not sure about funding, private should cost about £5000.

2) The first few days were a bit sore, but manageable with rest.

3) I've had mine 1 month & have lost a couple of stone already. But that does include the pre op 'milk diet'.

Hope this is of help?

Rob
x

 

[serenitylove]

im not sure of your nhs chances the bospa website will tell you if your suitable for whats required in your area , if you go nhs root your looking at about a year to banding [or it was for me]
the op was keyhole for me as it is most ppl and was very sore day of op but easily manageable for next few days.
i have done wwell with my band its not always easy but alot easier i have found than conventional dieting as i cant physically eat more than my pouch will hold but i have had a few struggles not to eat slider foods like chocolate but im only human and the band helps me know il not put the weight back on which i have done every time iv done a normal diet

 

[missjelly]

Thanks , what's a milk-diet?

Sorry for all the questions but I want as much info as possible before making a huge decision

 

[shelbell]

Do you mean the 'best' problems to help you get funding? Co-morbidities such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, type 2 diabetes etc. Basically conditions that are made worse or caused by your obesity.

 

[shelbell]

The milk diet is a type of pre-op diet that you do for 5-14 days before your surgery to shrink your liver which makes it easier for the surgeon to get to your stomach. Different surgeons have different diets, the milk diet is the most common one and generally consists of 2-4 pints of milk and 2-4 low fat yoghurts a day.

 

[missjelly]

Do you mean the 'best' problems to help you get funding? Co-morbidities such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, type 2 diabetes etc. Basically conditions that are made worse or caused by your obesity.

Yea, I know it sounded a bit weird but I didn't know how else to word it

Atm, I have a BMI of 44, I'm verging on Type 2 diabetes, my leg disability is being made a million times worse by the extra weight on my knees, does any of that count?

 

[shelbell]

The leg problems might, the diabetes would once confirmed, the only problem is that wording in the requirements of severe co-morbidities. You could contact either the PCT or PALS and ask for their actual funding policy for a bit more clarity about what they consider severe co-mo's. The other option if your GP isn't playing ball is to see a different GP.

 

[missjelly]

I am highly doubtful that the NHS route is going to be the way to go, not only with getting referred in the first place but the EPIC waiting lise (I'm pretty impatient)

What places have people gone? Hospital-wise?

 

[shelbell]

Sorry I was getting confused with another poster who was asking about referral criteria lol, Wales as far as I know don't even clarify what their criteria is!

There are a lot of members on here, banders particularly, who have gone private through lots of different companies. Best thing is to attack google and see who is out there that is convenient for you to get to, especially if you are wanting a band as you won't want to travel 6 hours away for each fill, and then do some research into their reputation etc. Ones that we see on here often are The Hospital Group (who don't have the best reputation to be honest), Spire (formerly BUPA), WLS Group, Healthier Weight, Landauer Cosmetic Surgery, BMI Healthcare.

 

[missjelly]

I've been googling, far more than is probably healthy for me
Will look at the ones you mentioned though

 

[Mazza]

Hi Jelly

I had my band fitted in April and went with the Weight Loss Surgery Group.

My band cost £5950, the price has gone up a bit now but you get 3 years aftercare and unlimited fills/de fills during this period. I dont know if the poster who said expect to pay £5,000 had their band abroad or doesnt have any aftercare but I have not seen a decent package in the UK for that price.

I researched lots before making my decision but for me they were definately the right choice. The location of the hospital is not as important as the location of the clinic you go to for your aftercare, as shell said you dont want to be travelling miles.

To answer your other questions:

Pain - uncomfortable more than painful, a week post of and your almost back to normal!

Effective - I have lost over half the weight I wanted to, I would call that succesful



Good luck

Maz

 

[missjelly]

I had keyhole for my gallbladder removal - kinda like that?

Wow! I'm even more convinced this is a good idea now.

Just to find £6000 >_< lol

 

[missjelly]

What's the difference between a band and a balloon? :S This is all very confusing

 

[shelbell]

A balloon is only in for 6 months, its a non-surgical procedure where a balloon is inserted inside the stomach via an endoscope, and inflated with saline, so it basically fills up most of the stomach meaning you can eat less.

The band is a device that is sewn round the outside of the stomach and connected to a port which sits just under your skin. Saline is injected into the port which then inflates the band and tightens your stomach into a bottom heavy hour glass shape meaning food gets temporarily 'stuck' above the band and takes time to pass through, so you can eat less and feel full for longer.

There is some really good info on the Bospa website which explains all the different procedures in a lot of detail, whether going private or NHS.