Portsmouth QA - Just received my First Appoitnment letter

[pinkcere]

Hello,
I've been around since last year just lurking and trying to gain some courage to continue an infinite diet, decided to join the forum but didn't post so far as WLS was just a dream.
My journey has being long and to finally receive this letter I consider it a victory already.

Anyway I was referred to the QA in Portsmouth. Has anyone being in their first 3 hours assessment?

What is this first assessment, any tips? I've tried reading around for answers on this but I didn't find any post.

My BMI is 44 and I'm scared they will refuse me because of this...what do you think?

I was referred almost a year ago to the tier 3 but they weren't accepting referrals anymore. I tried the Orlistat diet pills but it wasn't good for me (my doctor said it was good for anyone). I had been seeing dietitian and respiratory center I have a light sleeping apnea and restless legs which makes me really tired in the morning. I have been pre-diabetic in the past but I'm taking metformin to help.
I want to lose weight for so many reasons but the biggest is that I want to have a baby and one of my treatments is losing weight, That is why my gp decided to refer me to WLS as he is seeing how much I have being trying. I might not have much time to have a baby as I'm 35 already.
Anyway, just sharing and sorry if I said too much.

Nice to finally say hi everyone!

 

[yvonne83]

I'm sorry I cant answer your questions as I am a different hospital to you and they all vary greatly! Just wanting to wish you luck on your journey and say Hi back! There are loads of very helpful people on this forum hopefully one of them will be along soon to point you in the right direction!

 

[los in it]

just a quick hello I also cant help but someone will soon pop up and offer help

 

[Kimberly]

Hi and welcome , I had my surgery at QA 9 months ago . Have you got funding ? I didn't have a 3 hour all in one appointment. It. Was done on differnt. Days ? Did you know theirs a support group for WLS in Portsmouth held at Gunwalf quay next Thursday at1930 at the holiday inn express just by Jamie Oliver's resturant .

 

[natclaire33)]

when I had my appointment at QA it said to allow up to three hours. i was there for about 1.5hrs, in that time i saw the bariatric nurse practitioner, the dietitian and and the consultant, although some people also see the physcologist ( excuse spelling).

When I had the appointment, i was asked to hand in the question sheets that cam with the appointment letter, I think the team have a look at the sheets, but they are really supportive and I found you were give lots of time to ask questions. Then one of the health care assistants will take you to one of the rooms to do your height and weight check, this is the weight they use to work out your bmi and use it as a starting point of reference.

I will say if you think of any question between now and your appointment day put a pen to paper and take it with you. Good luck with your wls journey.

And like Kimberly has said about the support group that meets at gunwharf next thursday, it's well worth going to if you can make it, I starting going at about the time my referral went in and am having surgery in just over three weeks. I have made some good friends through this group and get a lot of support from them.

Once again good luck and keep us updated on how things are going

 

[pinkcere]

Hello, I have been bit busy last week and I have just seen your answers to my post. Thanks for all the support.

@ the girls who have been to the QA I'm really glad to hear the good comments.

Natclaire33) can I ask you how long you had to wait after the first appointment?

I'm already writing my questions for the docs. I can't make Thursday's nights as I have college. Real Shame I would love to go. I have been to a group meeting in Southampton as it was on a Saturday and is easier for me.I'll fifinish college in November then I will probably be going to a meeting for sure.
Thanks for the tips guys.

 

[natclaire33)]

Hi pinkcere,

I have to say I didn't have to wait to long, I had the appointment with the bariatric team on the 23rd may, i had the aneasthetic assessment a couple of months after that I have my 24th of this month and have my op on the 7th october. It's been fairly steady in total from when I first started the wls referral journey it will be about 7 months in total.

I would say that if you have to have test for sleep apnea etc then it could well take longer. but it will be well worth the wait good luck

 

[pinkcere]

hi Natclaire33)

thanks that's really good news.
I have already been tested for sleep apnea, and I am currently looking for the best treatment. as doc said that she thinks she wants to try all other treatments before the air blowing machine. But so far we've haven't been lucky with the alternative choices.

I'm worried about my appointment as I think I might be refused surgery because of my bmi 44. oh well fingers crossed

 

[pinkcere]

Just wanted to share with you. I'm very worried about my weight, on the letter from the hospital they asked me to start dieting and exercising before I go, I'm trying both but I'm not losing in fact I'm putting on weight. I'm afraid they will think I'm not committed enough.

 

[natclaire33)]

You have been doing what the letter asked, one thing I would suggest if you are dieting with a diet club, you could always take your record books with you, ( i had mine in my bag but they didn't want to see it).

I know when I had my first appointment at QA they do your height and weight and work out your current bmi from there, and use that as the marker. My bmi was 48 when I had the first appointment, don't worry just take any records or evidence ref diet and exercise with you. The team that you see are great at putting you at ease.

They will see you are committed, but mostly be honest with them and they will be honest with you. good luck and keep intouch letting us know how everything goes

 

[pinkcere]

Thanks Nat, I am trying to keep positive and continue to diet, I'm not dieting with a club at the moment. I have kept lot's of food diaries in the past, I stopped using them last December when I went through a rough time and felt I couldn't keep my sanity and my diet at the same time. I since then been to a talking change overcoming worry course and I'm learning to identify the triggers. I really worry about things I have no control. I'm good with "no and yes" diets. That's why I want the surgery, I really do believe is a tool I need to permanently put myself in the right track. I'm just scared to not get the chance. But I guess everyone else here had been scared about this before. I just need to keep positive.
I'm going to keep you posted.