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Surgery questions Medway (Kent)

B

bettybumps

New Member
Hi all.

I have made the difficult decision to ask my GP for surgery.
My bmi is 47, I have Fibromyalgia, Sinus tachydardia, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression, and in March I have to have a glucose tolerance test as my most recent fasting blood test has come back as abnormal.

I have been referred to a health and lifestyle team (like mentors to help you achieve certain health goals) I have been seeing them since November.

I have previously done a course called tipping the balance, where you meet a nurse weekly for diet and health support, I have requested a new referral, but they phoned today, will be at least 3 months before I get an appointment to be allocated, and likely it will be October before I actually get seen. (When I did this 2 and a half years ago, they recommended me for surgery but I never took it up as I wasn't ready to take that step)

I have a referral to a 12 week fitness programme, which begins on the 17 Feb, plus a referral to physio for my fibromyalgia. (All of these I instigated myself, my GP has never offered me any weight loss support before)

My GP tells me despite my health issues, I have to give tipping the balance a go for 12 months, before they can refer me for surgery.

Now, the medications I take cause amongst other issues fatigue, increased appetite and weight gain. I need help NOW. I have done WW, Slimming world (12 months) , and Hypnosis (£250 down the drain), as well as a shake diet.

I know of 2 ladies that have never set foot in a slimming club in their lives, and both got funding, I can't understand why I have to wait so long, if I go by the current guidelines it will be almost 3 years before I can have surgery.

I feel lost, devastated, frustrated and quite frankly pissed off!

Does anyone on here understand the Medway criteria and have an idea of bringing this timescale forward? Any words of wisdom and encouragement would be greatly appreciated.
 
Hi Betty
Welcome to site :) :) :)
Your story is similar to many others that I gave read, I think that someone more experienced in nhs route may be able to assist as I funded my own surgery.
Never ever lose heart I'd give up, keep on chipping away xx
 
Blimey that doesnt seem fair, good luck, i have just been referred by my gp who is lovely and right behind me, had blood tests done yesterday, im already sick of waiting!!!!
Sue x
 
Hi. I live in Medway. I am also a veteran of tipping the balance. However, in the last year the funding criteria, and the funding system has changed. It is more difficult now, and funding comes from a central reserve, NHS England. I had my funding before the change so dont have a lot of insight I'm afraid. But feel free to get in touch if you want a chat.
 
Hi Betty and a huge welcome, i soooo understand how your feeling. Its much the same here in Cornwall having been referred by my gp approx 3 yrs ago and am now packing my bags as the op is tomorrow.
I too understand how your feeling in yourself a fellow sufferer of depression, anxiety, panic attacks + ME (chronic fatigue)
It may seem like forever and an awful lot of hoops to jump thru but it certainly is worth the wait................ you learn and awful lot about yourself in the process too, which i feel has helped me greatly to where i am today (aneixty wise)
you will meet some lovely people (especially here) and learn some valuable hints and tips re diet etc. I don't think i would honestly be this calm should i not have been thru this long process.
I know you must be feeling deflated right now, but just grab this chance with both hands.
Good Luck hun x x x and welcome again x x x
 
Thanks all for the kind words. I have asked the GP to discuss my case with a more senior Dr at the surgery , she has only been there 6 months and is part time, so I think it isn't an area she knows much about. I am hoping that another GP knows a way forward. I forgot to mention that I also self referred for counselling as well, my asessment for that is in about 10 days, so I really am seriously trying to help myself.
 
i think it is a long drawn out process almost everywhere now since the criteria changed you could maybe speak to a different gp and see if they can get the ball rolling i had to do this as my own wouldnt help so just saw someone else in the practice and now i wont look back have had some great treatments and referals for illness's never knew i had and on my way to having wls finally
 
Hiya I would be interested to know too as also medway xx
 
Hi all.
A little update.

I was the main topic of discussion at todays practice meeting at my GP surgery.

As I have done so much to help myself, the practice has agreed to apply for funding now.

I am going to wait until i have had my GTT in March, then I am going to give orlistat another go. My GP has said she won't pressure me to try it as I didn't tolerate it before, but I said it has to be worth a try while I wait surely?

So, hopefully, I will have some news soon.
 
Orlistat is horrible, and doesn't work long term, it just gives you nasty orange uncontrollable leaks.

I wish you all the very best hun. Don't give up x
 
bettybumps said:
Hi all.

I have made the difficult decision to ask my GP for surgery.
My bmi is 47, I have Fibromyalgia, Sinus tachydardia, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression, and in March I have to have a glucose tolerance test as my most recent fasting blood test has come back as abnormal.

I have been referred to a health and lifestyle team (like mentors to help you achieve certain health goals) I have been seeing them since November.

I have previously done a course called tipping the balance, where you meet a nurse weekly for diet and health support, I have requested a new referral, but they phoned today, will be at least 3 months before I get an appointment to be allocated, and likely it will be October before I actually get seen. (When I did this 2 and a half years ago, they recommended me for surgery but I never took it up as I wasn't ready to take that step)

I have a referral to a 12 week fitness programme, which begins on the 17 Feb, plus a referral to physio for my fibromyalgia. (All of these I instigated myself, my GP has never offered me any weight loss support before)

My GP tells me despite my health issues, I have to give tipping the balance a go for 12 months, before they can refer me for surgery.

Now, the medications I take cause amongst other issues fatigue, increased appetite and weight gain. I need help NOW. I have done WW, Slimming world (12 months) , and Hypnosis (£250 down the drain), as well as a shake diet.

I know of 2 ladies that have never set foot in a slimming club in their lives, and both got funding, I can't understand why I have to wait so long, if I go by the current guidelines it will be almost 3 years before I can have surgery.

I feel lost, devastated, frustrated and quite frankly pissed off!

Does anyone on here understand the Medway criteria and have an idea of bringing this timescale forward? Any words of wisdom and encouragement would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Oh dear, I found your post whilst I was looking for the answer to exactly the same question!

I am 49 and I live in Chatham and I have been accepted for a gastric bypass operation by St Richard's in Chichester but they specify I must complete 6 months of Tier 3 Preparation before they will add my name to the surgery waiting list. My BMI is 66 and I think they said if it was lower - but I can't remember how low - I would have to have 12 months Tier 3.

In Kent the Tier 3 Service is provided by 4 healthy weight :: Tier 3 specialist weight management services BUT they do not have a contract with the Medway CCG - Clinical Commissioning Group. In Medway the Council run the Tipping The Balance Service - look it up on Google - BUT it is nowhere near as comprehensive as what 4 healthy weight provide and it doesn't cover preparation for bariatric surgery. However, they will not deal with patients who have Coronary Ischemia or Diabetes - so if you get diagnosed (I am Type 2 Diabetic) - you are stuffed!

I am trying to speak to my GP Practice Manager it someone at the Medway CCG - if I find out anything useful I will try and let you know!

Kind regards

Alison
 
I hated orlistat too, but i think it will look good on my records that i am prepared to give it a go, while I am waiting for the referral to go through.
 
I have been invited to a meeting with the tipping the balance team and some previous gastric surgery patients. Nervous. No news on funding yet
 
I have been to 2 of those. The second of which I spoke at. They are quite informal, and comfortable.
 
Hi all.

It was a really positive meeting, I am so glad they invited me. We had 4 speakers who all had their surgery last year. Interestingly, all 4 decided to have the bypass instead of the sleeve, which really surprised me. I asked them about this, and they all said the same, surgeon said, if you have a sweet tooth, have the bypass as it will cure it!? Well, considering my problem is all food, this leaves me confused really. They also said the sleeve leaves you with a stomach the size of a banana, and the bypass leaves you with a pouch the size of a walnut so it was a no brainer.

I met some lovely people who i sat with (I went alone) and the tipping the balance ladies were so lovely when I spoke to them after. I feel like I can't wait to start the journey now.
 
Clarabelle, Dr said don't try Orlistat until after my GTT in March, however, both Dr and TTB ladies aren't sure its worth bothering with due to previous history.
 
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