Weight management specialist!?? what?

[claireheath22]

Hi all, I am so fed up! Having battled with weight all my life (like everone else here), I have been to my GP loads of times to ask for help with my weight. I have infertility issues and was referred to an infertility clinic who basically said "loose weight and you'll have more chance of periods and a baby". They said they would refer me for a gastric band. All I want is to be a healthy mum. I want a baby so bad that it makes me depressed and I eat more, look in the mirror, hate what I see, get more depressed and eat more. Round and round I go! I have tried SW, WW, Lipotrim, Atkins, Rosemary Con, Cabbage Soup, Starvation diets and today I started Slimfast again!
Dont get me wrong, I can loose weight but I put more on. This time last year I weighed 18 stone exactly, and today I weigh 18stone8lbs. I have lost 4 stones this year and put it all back on, plus more.
I have been offered oralstat but I cannot take it because I work a million miles from a loo!
Lastest time I went to the docs after being turned down for a gastric band on NHS to ask for lipotrim and he said he would re-refer me for a gastric band as he feels I am a candidate (BMI 41) and have PCOS, joint pain and the worlds biggest boobs (which cause agony!) LOL.

Sorry to keep going on........
today I receive a letter saying I have been turned down again as they feel they can help me by referring me to the "specialist weight management team" which includes dietician, physical activities officer, and psychologist. Now I have to wait for this pack to come through the post so I can fill it out and attend these classes? Has anyone else heard of this? What the hell is it? I am sooooooooooooooo fed up I feel like crying again (for the third time today!).
Just to twist the knife further, I got turned down for a loan too today which I was going to use to go private. Ho Hum.

Claire xxx:cry:

 

[Mini]

Hi Claire,

Weight management courses are being set up to tackle obesity.

They are an educational programme and include activities along with support and motivation in helping you to lose weight.

Found this on the internet.

http://www.alwpct.nhs.uk/About%20the%20PCT/Agendas/Board%20minutes/2008/28052008/Action/9%20Community%20Weight%20Management.pdf


You can expect something like this below that is on this other site I would imagine.

Why Weight

What sort of help do you offer?
At your first appointment - a weight loss mentor will talk to you about your weight and why it might be difficult for you to lose weight and keep it off. The worker is trained to help you work out realistic plans to overcome the difficulties you have in losing weight and will help you design a practical personalised action plan considering the food you ea, your options for physical activity and your home/work/family circumstances and pressures.
You will be offered a variety of options including:
q Practical workshops with optional private weigh ins
q Telephone/email support
q Monthly motivating newsletter
q Practical cooking skills sessions for weight loss.
q Exercise classes JUST for very big people.
q Walking groups and exclusive swim sessions
q Specialist activities and information for other needs – e.g. for ethnic minorities and those with disabilities.

How much support will I get?
You will be offered weekly support at workshops
PLUS

Telephone support during the first 6 weeks
PLUS



Individual appointments with your lifestyle change worker;

• <LI class=MsoNormal>6 weeks after your first appointment <LI class=MsoNormal>12 weeks after your first appointment <LI class=MsoNormal>6 months after your first appointment
• 12 months after your first appointment

Each year we work with hundreds of people like yourself who struggle with their body image but feel demoralised about ever being able to look and feel healthier. For those who take up the Why Weight PLUS service – gradual weight loss becomes a way of life despite the odd hiccup.
Consider this – if you just lost 1lb a week for one year – you would lose nearly 4 stone!
We don’t make big promises, but we know from experience that we can help you look and feel healthier.
Interested?
Contact your practice nurse, doctor or health visitor and ask them to refer you to the Why Weight PLUS service. They will complete a form and give you a telephone number to ring to make an appointment that suits you.
We look forward to hearing from you

 

[claireheath22]

Thanks xxx. Will go and have a nosey!xxx

 

[Floella]

Claire - you might be pleasantly surprised! My sister has started going to these (as Mini mentioned) and there is a big change in her. She is being listened to properly and it's finally sinking in that it's not a case of "trying" all the diets going and feeling she has failed but accepting that some people can eat certain things in certain quantities but she is someone who can not! She is beginning to understand that it is a lifelong thing and not just lose some weight and put it back on and get herself depressed and continue the cycle.
My sister was "that" close to having surgery .... but that's another story! I am just so pleased that she is getting the help she needs and I'm sure you will too. Very best wishes to you.

 

[Marie Traynor]

Specialist Weight Management Services

Hi Claire

I have been refered to the Specialist Weight Management team. I am very dissapointed. I personally feel, its just another ploy to waste the tax payer money. Their aim is to get 10% of the individuals weight off. Then what????

I wanted the lapband or bypass, but instead I have to attend every two weeks a 2 hour session. I have like you battled for years. For me the only answer is surgery.

Frustrated and angry.

Marie

 

[mandy-1975]

Hi Claire..........

So sorry, you are having a hard time of it........... but please keep trying to think positively!!!! and keep jumping those hurdles..... some of the girls on here think shell is one of them too that had to go to a weight management group before she was accepted for her bypass....

We are all here to support you!!!!!!!

Thinking of you........ have you looked on the nice website at what you PCT criteria is..... that may help you......

 

[Alice]

Hi Claire,

I just wanted to say hello and welcome to Mini's. I really understand where you are coming from as I am in a similar position with regards to infertility. I've been trying to conceive for 4 years (I've also got PCOS), had multiple investigations and surgeries, tried various treatments, and all has failed. The NHS totally turned their back on me, telling me to come back when my BMI was less than 35... so all my treatment has been done privately. I got to the point where I needed IVF but even private clinics were turning me away because of my BMI (fluctuating between 40-42). It really is soul destroying and the vicious cycle of depression, comfort eating and then self loathing is unbearable.

I had my band fitted 4 weeks ago (privately) and am hopeful that once I lose a lot of weight, I will spontaneously conceive.

I don't know what to advise you for your weight loss journey. Perhaps you should attend these weight management classes to prove to the powers-that-be that you are serious about losing weight. Perhaps after you've shown willing there, they will agree to fund your surgery.

Have you talked with your GP about the infertility and the emotional impact it is having on you? Surely that counts as a co-morbidity in the eyes of the PCT? Perhaps you need to try a different GP.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I am in the same boat as you and if you need an ear or a shoulder, I understand the whole infertility thing.

Take care,

Alice xx

 

[Trinaweena]

Hi Claire,
I'm so sorry that you have been turned down this time but please go to the weight management surgery because I have heard that sometimes the dietician consultant may not have a suitable plan that would work for you and they will refer you back to the pct for funding for a bypass/ band if there's nothing they can do that will work for you.
I hope this helps
Take care
Trina xx

 

[shelbell]

Yup I had to go through a year of weight management, and it was actually beneficial. It helped me break some bad habits and start some good ones.

Think of it as a tool, not a hinderance, and be clear with them from the start that you want surgery.