A little update:
I was getting nowhere with the first two hospitals so I went back to the drawing board and continued researching. Spoke to many hospitals, some more helpful than others and found one I felt really comfortable with, The Whittington Hospital in N London.
After speaking with the bariatric coordinator, I requested my doctor referred me here. Dr was off that week so it felt like eternity! I forwarded on all my letters from recipes hospitals, confirming Tier 3 etc and was offered an appt to their mandatory education session on 11th June.
I panicked when I had a missed call a few days later but it was the coordinator offering me an appt to see the consultant that same afternoon!
The journey from Kent to hosp was horrific but I made it. Most patients were just at referral stage so had yet to start Tier 3. When she said most people are looking at surgery in 18 months from the day, I felt despondent.
The session was good and confirmed to me that my research was sound and there were no surprises.
The irony was that session was held in a meeting through, accessed through 5 snack bars and restaurants!
Anyway, I had lunch in one of aforementioned restaurants and waited for next appt. I recognised consultant as he walked past (from my cyber stalking/research and remembered too late after a cheery hello and wave, that he's not net me yet.
He was lovely, ran through general questions and procedures. He said is need a heart trace and camera/throat job and I could feel the months stretching before me. Then he says "I guess you want a date from me". He got his calendar and said provisionally he's looking at 13th August. Is that ok?
Is that ok?! Hell yes, I was expecting more delays and nothingness, this is brilliant. He sent me for heart trace that day, bloods too. Other appt will be sent by post.
Blimey, I'm sorry, I know I waffle but I'm so friggin excited. 13th August. 3 days after 39th birthday. That gives me a year to be fitter for 40.
It's no magic cure. I know it's a long way to go and I doubt I'll be where I need to be at 40. But I sure hope I won't need a lap extender on a plane any more!!
