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sat crying over GP change of opinion.
- Thread starter Carolined
- Start date
Carolined
New Member
sorry for the update being this late but the phone call was so confusing, it made me give up on myself for a while.
so anyway I call the surgery half hour after the phone call was scheduled. I was told very rudely that i was meant to call him not the other way around (every time in the past i have known the drs to call the patient). so, because of this the Dr refuses to talk to me, he will only send messages through the surgery manager. This poor woman has me on one ear and him telling her what to say on the other. it was so unprofessional. i asked her why wont he just let me speak to him, she didn't know why.
so the reasons he gave was- my BMI was "only" 50...........firstly 50 is SUPER high, secondly my BMI is closer to 58 now.
he said the surgeon told him my bmi had to be near 30 (?!) this is where i get annoyed, the manager didn't know what bmi numbers meant, so i told her that 30 would be too low so he isn't giving me a real answer. again i ask to speak to him. off she goes to his office for 3rd or 4th time to give him my reply. this time he says he doesn't have me down as over 50. I have to travel back to him (3 hour drive as i don't live near this GP as this is my uni GP).
i asked the manager is he just agreeing to see me as i wont drop it? She didn't fill me with confidence when she said it wasn't.
im sorry if this isn't very clear, trust me this is as clear as i can be...
so anyway I call the surgery half hour after the phone call was scheduled. I was told very rudely that i was meant to call him not the other way around (every time in the past i have known the drs to call the patient). so, because of this the Dr refuses to talk to me, he will only send messages through the surgery manager. This poor woman has me on one ear and him telling her what to say on the other. it was so unprofessional. i asked her why wont he just let me speak to him, she didn't know why.
so the reasons he gave was- my BMI was "only" 50...........firstly 50 is SUPER high, secondly my BMI is closer to 58 now.
he said the surgeon told him my bmi had to be near 30 (?!) this is where i get annoyed, the manager didn't know what bmi numbers meant, so i told her that 30 would be too low so he isn't giving me a real answer. again i ask to speak to him. off she goes to his office for 3rd or 4th time to give him my reply. this time he says he doesn't have me down as over 50. I have to travel back to him (3 hour drive as i don't live near this GP as this is my uni GP).
i asked the manager is he just agreeing to see me as i wont drop it? She didn't fill me with confidence when she said it wasn't.
im sorry if this isn't very clear, trust me this is as clear as i can be...
femfrankie
Shrinking For Sophie
I am not in England so maybe not the best person to give advice..
Have you made an appointment to see this GP? If so I would go with somebody (an advocate so to speak) Have all the info that you need at hand with you Forewarned is forearmed as they say
. Ask for clear information from this GP and if necessary ask him to write it down along with his reasons for saying no..Out of curiosity I would also be asking why he couldnt/wouldnt talk to you on the phone?
Sorry im not being much help here but I wish you the best of luck x
Have you made an appointment to see this GP? If so I would go with somebody (an advocate so to speak) Have all the info that you need at hand with you Forewarned is forearmed as they say
. Ask for clear information from this GP and if necessary ask him to write it down along with his reasons for saying no..Out of curiosity I would also be asking why he couldnt/wouldnt talk to you on the phone?Sorry im not being much help here but I wish you the best of luck x
Jackiesnewstart
Member
Carolined I really feel for you and think you should start looking for a different gp as this one seems like a prat and you deserve better you are looking for help so your health does not get worse. Good luck I hope you get a good gp asap.
WitchInWorthing
New Member
hmmm .. time to keep some bottom I think and also think about moving surgeries - I know it is hard when you are at Uni, but you are in the summer break now - when I was at Uni I stayed registered with my home gp who knew me well. The fact he thinks you have a BMI of 30 shows that either he thinks you are really really tall (!) or he has the wrong weight for you - the BMi is usually worked out by the computer. I feel for the receptionist - it is not her fault, but I think I would be making an appointment with the practice manager - and talk about formal complaint process while you are there. Do you have someone who can come with you and act as your advocate?
Good luck hunni .... you can do this! xxx
Good luck hunni .... you can do this! xxx
JoJoTGirl
New Member
I can't imagine how disappointed and confused you must feel right now. Like others have said (and you've already arranged), I think a good honest conversation with your GP is in order. Let's hope it's just a misunderstanding or that he can be swayed. If not, it may be worth changing GP (also as other have suggested) as someone in the local support group I attend did just this and eventually got funding. I feel for you. Keep your chin up though and plough on. Good luck. Jo x
A.Positive
New Member
What kind of practice is this? Just disgusting behaviour! I am so sorry you have been treated like this and would also second you seeing another GP if possible.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
quidproquouk
New Member
Carolined, I too am sorry to hear about your treatment from your surgery.
Something doesn't sound quite right there and if I were you, I would sever my relationship with this surgery and register with another close to where you are living now, immediately.
I know this new system in playing havoc in all areas, not just in weight loss surgery. The doctors have control now over all the budgets and although they may be great clinicians, they are not trained to be money managers... in fact many doctors have money issues, not because of their earnings but because they have no idea how to set and follow budgets. Just look at how many bankrupts there are in the field.
You are entitled to good, non judgemental health care in this country but sometimes you have to fight to get what you want and need. The rewards are great but there are also sacrifices. My suggestion? Go for it!
Good luck
Something doesn't sound quite right there and if I were you, I would sever my relationship with this surgery and register with another close to where you are living now, immediately.
I know this new system in playing havoc in all areas, not just in weight loss surgery. The doctors have control now over all the budgets and although they may be great clinicians, they are not trained to be money managers... in fact many doctors have money issues, not because of their earnings but because they have no idea how to set and follow budgets. Just look at how many bankrupts there are in the field.
You are entitled to good, non judgemental health care in this country but sometimes you have to fight to get what you want and need. The rewards are great but there are also sacrifices. My suggestion? Go for it!
Good luck
quidproquouk
New Member
Carolined, just a quick question. Have you gained weight since attending the original qualifying session? Here in Derbyshire if you gain weight after being referred to the Tier 3 Weight Reduction Team (your area may have a similar programme with a different name), they have every right to withdraw approval for surgery if they question your commitment or ability to change your life style after surgery. Tier 3 is (actually was 'cause they have just changed the name of this service too... a 12 week programme where you meet with a psychologist specialising in this area, a dietician and a "coach" who will work with you to increase activity and to develop tools to deal with the new you.
If you have gained weight, you may be able to ask if you can re-enter the Tier 3 or equivalent after convincing them you are up for it and prove to them your level of commitment.
Once again, hope this helps!
If you have gained weight, you may be able to ask if you can re-enter the Tier 3 or equivalent after convincing them you are up for it and prove to them your level of commitment.
Once again, hope this helps!
Beegee
New Member
As Yveessa said, send a letter to your surgery asking for an appointment explaining why you want to have a face to face discussion. And as suggested earlier take an advocate with you. Someone who can not only help take notes on the discussion but can help keep you calm in an horrendously emotional situation. This GP is preventing you from what you need to live a healthy life, and understandably you may not be able to have a calm rationale discussion with them. Good luck hun and please let us know how you get on. BTW where is your GP surgery is it near Egham?
Jackiesnewstart
Member
Good luck carolined I am thinking about you.
lucylee
New Member
Hi i have just read this and im so sorry you have been treated this way. I really thought once you received funding it was out of your doctors hands. If you get nowhere with your doctor then go to google and type in patient liason service and your area. Im down in london but when i had a problem with being mucked about with appointments they sorted it all out for me and rung all the people for me. I know its different circumstances but they deal with all sorts of problems. I hope this helps x
FatBoySlimin
New Member
In Scotland it's now a BMI of 30-34 and you must have developed type 2 diabetes in the last 5 years to get WLS. Maybe the guidelines have also travelled south?
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femfrankie
Shrinking For Sophie
Eh?? Bariatric surgery in the West of Scotland and forth Valley is currently limited to patients with active diabetes and a BMI of greater than 40. Im in Scotland & going for my recently funded bypass tomorrow ... At the time my BMI WAS 49 and although I have lots n lots of other co morbidities i have no diabetes but you are right in that it is usually a pre requisite. CAn I ask where you got this info from?
FatBoySlimin
New Member
That the criteria received from my bariatric team as surgeon. I was on the legacy BMI over 60 list and qualified but they were saying this was coming in this year.
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femfrankie
Shrinking For Sophie
Will need to ask about this tomorrow .. Sounds a bit ridiculous to me and if correct I'm bloody glad I got there before it comes in force ... My start BMI was 68 .. Well over.
FatBoySlimin
New Member
Aye. It's pretty stupid. Could be Grampian but the team said it was new national guidelines.
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Carolined
New Member
well a few months on and lots and I mean LOTS of fighting later- I have passed the criteria for Oxford Radcliffe Hospital YIPPIIIIE!!
So, according to my practice manager I need to wait for a letter to invite me to a group meeting with other proposed patients, Then another appointment will be sent so I can have a consultation with the surgeon.
Anyone else been at this stage?
Anyone know this Hospital? Good reputation, waiting list times?
How long does it take to get the invite to the meeting?
the wait is killing me haha
I think my postman is getting fed up with me asking him if he has any extra post haha
So, according to my practice manager I need to wait for a letter to invite me to a group meeting with other proposed patients, Then another appointment will be sent so I can have a consultation with the surgeon.
Anyone else been at this stage?
Anyone know this Hospital? Good reputation, waiting list times?
How long does it take to get the invite to the meeting?
the wait is killing me haha
I think my postman is getting fed up with me asking him if he has any extra post haha
