beckers said:
Does anyone on here have any experience of Prof. Kumar and his team, either at Coventry or the place he was before? Im just trying to find out how long his waiting lists usually are and as much info about him as I can really.
Hi I haven't been on for while, I became bit disheartened by what feels like lies and false hope from Coventry. Although when I look at my timeline it's not that bad compared to others here, it's just that they seem to build you up and then knock you down. If it's any help I will outline my journey.
I first asked for referral in march 2011, but due to locum unsure of paperwork my referral was sent May 2011.
First appointment 24th August with dietician, turned out to be wrong dietician, this was in the main hospital her advice was to have a day of eating veg ( thanks!) told her I was looking for bariatric surgery.
September 23rd appoint with dr Reddy (one of Dr Tom Barber's minions) he said I was a good candidate for wls and suggested a band, he hadn't looked at any of my eating habits or really asked me many questions. I knew a band wasn't a good option for me, tried to put my point across but at least I was being put forward for surgery there would be time to argue my case. Made an appointment to see him again in January having lost 5% of my weight.
September 29th. Sleep apnoea test. Diagnosed with severe OSA. It's not good, but because coventry's main co-morbidities is OSA it was a good thing. Have a Capp,machine as my bed partner now.
October 3 rd -appointment with dietician Sue Bridgewater this time in the wisdem centre. This was a group meeting, although sue is lovely the meeting felt like a bit preaching to the converted. I think most of us have been there and tried every diet going and know the theory. I had following appointments with sue in the group, dec,jan and feb.
October10th - appointment with mr menon one of the surgeons, I think there is only him and prof Kumar ( I could be wrong). As he has operated on me 5 times previously he knows me inside and out, literally, intact I think he actually referred me for wls. He agreed I was a candidate for surgery and said he would be happy to give me a sleeve because of my previous abdominal surgery, I wasn't happy about this at the time, but having done more research I do think it is the best option for me. So far so good all was looking like I was heading in the right direction and this might actually happen.
Jan 2012- back to see Dr Reddy with my 5% weight loss, just, he was over the moon I had sleep apnoea, strange man, and said he would fill in my mdt form there and then and my case should be heard the end of jan or 11th Feb. woohoo that was fantastic news surgery seemed to be getting closer and closer. The only thing he thought would delay things was that I hadn't had my psych appointment with Dr David Kendrick yet. Although he said he didn't think I needed it and would argue me case.
Feb came and went with no news. I emailed the pct who said they had no request for funding, and I emailed Louise handler, who is apparently the head dietician for weight management, but I never received a reply, I think she may have left and sue has taken her place, I know sue has only joined the team recently from heartlands.
I had a word with sue at my last group weight management session and she said she would look into for me. Nothing! I am starting to deflate and surgery seems to be getting further away.
April - Dr Kendrick appointment , this was the one I was worried about, wondering what things he might dig up from past. It was nothing to worry about and actually wish this has been my first appointment it put a lot of things in perspective and actually made something click in my head. He got a bit shouty shouty and was very blunt something which I respond to.me wanted to know why my weight hadn't changed much and fluctuated between 142 and 136 kg and that I was now t my heaviest. I had lots of excuses or reasons as I call them, I couldn't do it on my own that's why I was there, I had just come back from 2 weeks all inclusive holiday etc. he said no one had forced the food in mouth and if I couldn't start making changes now how would I cope with wls, he was right of course. Although he did get my hopes again and said that he thought surgery was the best option for me and would, yet again put my case to the mdt to be heard in May.
I saw the dietician at the end of April one to one . She was pleased with my 7kg weight loss and thought my head was now in the place. She also read my notes and what dr Kendrick had put was discuss but do not list. I take this to mean they may agree my funding but not operate yet, this peed me off again, although sue said she would tell them that I was doing well.
Sorry for waffling but it should give you an idea if your further along than me. In the meantime I will stalk the postman and see what happens at my next appointment with dietician die tics on 31 may although this is just to get weighed by the lovely Margaret.
Hope this helps
