Newbie questions

[Casey123]

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to know some other peoples stories in regards to weight loss surgery!
so I am based in East London. I am 26, I have a BMI of 50. And I have PCOS. And last week my doctor referred me for weight loss surgery. I signed the form today.

I have tried to lose weight since I was in secondary school. Id lose it then gain it back. Doctor referred me to a weight loss program. lost weight and when it ended, I gained it all back. a vicious cycle.

I have so many questions running through my head. Will they give me the surgery? do I fit the criteria? Am I not "ill" enough to have it? This is literally my last hope, if Im rejected, Im not sure what i'll do. I just wanted to hear some of your experiences? especially UK NHS ones. The waiting etc?

Could you tell me? id be very grateful <3

 

[jpeo1990]

Hi Casey, welcome to the forum! I'm still fairly new to this so I may not have all the answers you need! however we sound quite similar, I'm 27 and have a bmi of 48. I have severe acid reflux which has caused permanent scarring to my oesophagus called Barretts. I had to go through 2 years of weight management courses to then be referred to the surgical part of this journey. I have had my meetings with the surgeon and the specialist nurse and had my pre op and I am currently waiting for the letter to drop through the letter box with my operation date for a bypass (feb or march). If I was you I would take positives out of the stage that you are at right now, you have been referred for weight loss surgery. your gp would not do this without good reason. this isn't me saying you will 100% be offered surgery however as we all know the NHS will not send you to see a specialist without it being the right move. each different NHS trust has different criteria as I believe it is led via the consultants who operate in that trust however as I said before we sound like similar cases so I cant see why not. My consultant when I first met him with this said one thing that made me really sit up and think and I think it answers your question about not being ill enough. he said that the cost of a bypass to the nhs is £x amount (I forget the exact figure he said) of which some people will say oh well what a waste of money that is. however by investing in that surgery especially with someone at mine and your ages the money the NHS will save via hopefully not having to have future care and treatment due to being over weight such as diabetes support, hip replacements at an older age, and every other risk that comes from being overweight like heart attacks strokes etc etc clearly proves that the operation is worthwhile. and he finished it by saying it is not about how ill you may be now its about how ill you could potentially become. I hope this has answered some of your questions. if you have anything else feel free to ask ill do my best to help as much as I can. all the very best in your journey.

Jamie x

 

[Penelope26]

Hi,
Your story sounds similar to my own, 26, PCOS, slipped disc. Been trying to lose weight since I was about 14. Been on various diets and weight loss programmes, prescribed Metformin to help with PCOS and insulin issues (I’m not diabetic) but this didn’t help, just made me feel sick. I asked me GP about WLS and he said I had to try Orlistat first. I’m currently off work sick with my back and just fear that it’s going to take too long through NHS by the time I try Orlistat then eventually get referral so I’m considering paying private and going abroad. I’m keen to see how your story develops as it seems yours is more productive than mine lol best of luck and keep us posted!

 

[jj87]

Morning. I had my operation done in east London in the Homerton. 2nd best thing I've done as my daughter is the 1st. My BMI was 50 and I had high blood pressure. 6months since surgery nearly 7stone down and feel amazing.... Food no longer control's me and I am so much fitter happier and I'm still working on healthier as I haven't started the gym really and the odd slider food has popped into my mouth but in comparison....... I wid do it over and over again. Good luck to u x

 

[jj87]

Mine also was NHS took 8months from doctors to the surgery.

 

[Maria61]

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to know some other peoples stories in regards to weight loss surgery!
so I am based in East London. I am 26, I have a BMI of 50. And I have PCOS. And last week my doctor referred me for weight loss surgery. I signed the form today.

I have tried to lose weight since I was in secondary school. Id lose it then gain it back. Doctor referred me to a weight loss program. lost weight and when it ended, I gained it all back. a vicious cycle.

I have so many questions running through my head. Will they give me the surgery? do I fit the criteria? Am I not "ill" enough to have it? This is literally my last hope, if Im rejected, Im not sure what i'll do. I just wanted to hear some of your experiences? especially UK NHS ones. The waiting etc?

Could you tell me? id be very grateful <3

Welcome Casey. I had bypass at Luton on NHS in September this year and from seeing my GP to surgery took 17 months. I have so far lost 4 stone 8 lbs and need to lose the same again. Good luck to you and merry Christmas to you xx