Whittington Hospital, London Anyone?

[amysbypass]

Hi all!
Just wandering if anyone is under The Whittington Hospital in North London?
Brett and I are, just wandering if there is anyone else?
Thanks Minis!

 

[iinklii]

Hello
I'm Lizzy and met Brett at the Whittington.

My bypass is on the 5th of June (OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!No! get back in the box)

Yeah 5th of June. Mr Heath he said yes I told Brett ~who was waitng to see him too. When I got home Brett called to say he'd got his date already cos he didn't just hand it in, and told me to call. I did and got my date ~a week after him!
Then he got a cancellation but thats another story

So were abouts are you up to?

 

[purplefluffything]

Hello nice to meet you both,
I have a referal too at the whittington. I have had a natter with brett before and he told me its a lovely hospital with great staff.
I have my Education session coming up on the 11th June and last week recieved a letter from consultant Mr Pratik Sufi telling me what to expect. He said I will have my consultation arranged at the group session. He mention that due to my disabilities I have a good chance of NICE Funding so please keep your fingers and toes crossed for me pleaseeee x
I feel really nervous excited and scared. (I am a regular at my local hospital due to my dissability and am always nervous)

Lizzy My Birthday is the 5th June so I know your op will be a success . If you were still in hospital on the 11th June when I have my group session I will visit you if you would like and of course if you were up to it? Please don't worry if this is not what you want I would not be offended. Amy, Lizzy I would love to hear about your story's of how you got to where you are now.
Hugs xx

 

[GemmsieJ]

Hello,

I am also under the Whittington, I have had the group session already and just waiting for my first appt, however have been advised by someone who was on the same session as me that there is about a 14 week wait at the moment, perhaps the staff are having their summer holidays?

I've already got my funding as my PCT (Greenwich) have already approved it before the GP's are allowed to refer, so hopefully once my first appt is through it will be plain saling - well fingers crossed. Good luck all! xxxx

 

[Caroline101061]

Hi Guys

Im a Whittington patient too - 5 1/2 weeks post bypass performed by Mr Sufi who I now worship! Any questions - shout!

 

[GemmsieJ]

Hey Caroline, I have just today recevied details of my 1st appt with the consultant, How long was it for you from this point to when you had the op? How long did all the tests take and which ones did you have? I am going to be bridesmaid for my best friend in October and was wondering if I may have had the op by then, my first appt with consultant is 22nd June.

Thanks, Gemma xxx

 

[Caroline101061]

I had my first appointment in April last year. The hospital applied for funding on my behalf. However (Im an isolated case I think but please bear this in mind), when it got to August and I still hadnt heard anything about my funding despite repeated emails to Mr Heath the surgeon and his assistant Lorna, I took it upon myself to chase it direct with my PCT who informed me that the funding had not been applied for .... you can just imagine how that went down. The PCT screamed at the Whittington and I had a positive answer within 48 hours! I then promptly fell off the Whittington radar and when it got to October and I had still not heard anything, made an appointment to see Mr Heath which was written down incorrectly by the hospital so I was 3 weeks early - anyway, long story short, I caused a ruccus and refused to leave the hospital until I saw someone and ended up seeing Mr Sufi which was the best thing that could have happened!

Im confident this wont happen to you as I complained very loudly to Mr Sufi and backed it up in writing and named names and he took it very seriously!

So appt wise I had to go to a group nutrition session, I was supposed to see a psychiatrist but that never happened, I had blood tests, sleep apnoea test (that apparently isnt necessary for everyone - if you have a neck circumference of over 17" then they do one), 2 ecgs (the tests are only valid for 6 months hence the repetition) and a heart echo. There is also some test involved with riding a stationary bicycle but my BMI was too high to have that (thankfully!)

So all in all it took 12 months from initial appt to surgery. Of course if you take out the 6 months of messing about then I would probably have had it done last year rather than this. However, if you dont have your funding then thats what takes the time and of course you have to wait your turn for all the appointments. I think Mr Heath's surgery list is shorter than Mr Sufi's but I favour Mr Sufi over Mr Heath.

Brett was fasttracked as he had funding prior to first appointment and he chose the Whittington purposely as they had the shortest waiting list.

Honestly I wouldnt bank on having the surgery before October if your first appointment is at the end of June - I would think it would be beginning of next year at the earliest. However, if you already have funding then its a different story! Are you going to the monthly support groups?

All in all

 

[purplefluffything]

Gemmsie how long did you have to wait for your appt with consultant after your group session?
Did you all find the group session informative? also what happens in this session?
I had an appointment made for this then I had a letter from Mr Sufi saying the appointment to see him will be made at this sesion.

The Hospital is applying for funding for me, I think I mentioned above that Mr Sufi remarked that I may meet the NICE Criteria due to my disabilities.
I would love to hear all your stories from the time you were refered to the point you are at now and are you having bypass or banding?

I hope I get lucky with Mr Sufi ..
Take care
Hugs xx

 

[GemmsieJ]

Hi All,

Thanks for the info Caroline, I have been to the group nutrition/education session, that was earlier this month. Kirsten confirmed that as I was under Greenwich which is the same as Brett we already have funding in place before the Whittington are approached, I don't think it will be before October but maybe towards December would be good. Although it would be nice to have one final proper Xmas dinner! Do you think Mr Sufi is better than the other consultant then? I've not met either yet.

Hi Purple, as mentioned because of the PCT I am with the funding is already in place for me. My group session was on the 8th May and my 1st appt woth consultant is 22nd June. We were told at the group session that we would be written to with appt dates but I had not heard anything so chased it up and was e-mailed my date yesterday. Someone I met at the group session was posted her appt though and she has to wait about 14 weeks! They did say at the group session it was approx a 10 week wait, all I can say is maybe they forgot about me so gave me a cancellation as I was totally expecting to have to wait longer.

The group session was very good, a lot of it covers what you can research yourself on the internet, alot you can find out from the other bypass/banders on here but it's still beneficial in my opinion. There are also monthly support sessions which take place on the last Thursday of the month, it was recommended we all attend at least one of these as it's a chance to meet people who are in the same situation and share experiences, we were also told we can bring any family memebers or friends who have any worries along so they can ask any questions they may have. I think I am going to try and get to the one at the end of June and take my hubby as he is a little nervous about it all, they should just put his mind at ease a bit.

I think I will opt for bypass, 1) because of the amount of weight I want to lose and 2) because of my eating habits, I'm very much a bacon sandwich and cake kind of person unfortunatley.

I first applied to my Dr for weight loss surgery back in January and it took to May to get my first appt, now I'm on my way though so although I am a little impatient at least I know it's gonna happen sooner or later.

Good luck on your journey and keep us updated with your progress, I love hearing about everyone's weight loss and the pics are living proof of how great everyone looks.

xxx

 

[Caroline101061]

Ive met Mr Sufi and Mr Heath and my preference is for Mr Sufi. Nothing wrong with Mr Heath but I had so many problems getting through the system and it wasnt until I got to Mr Sufi that it all fell into place. Coupled with that he is the clinical lead, Head of the Department, sits in on Support Groups and takes note of peoples suggestions and implements them. He also apparently doesnt use drains post surgery where Mr Heath does - look its academic, they are both good guys and of course Im biased - why wouldnt I be! The only thing I would say is that the Bariatric Co-ordinator Lorna should not be doing her job and that if you want results, chase chase chase - anything she touches seems to turn to rubbish and I had cause to complain about her twice.

If you guys want to meet up at the next support group which is on 18 June, let me know. Gemmsie - very happy to put your other half's mind at rest - I sailed through my op and havent looked back!

 

[GemmsieJ]

I supppose as long as they do the procedure correctly I don't really care who does it. OK Caroline, I'll let you know if I am deffo going to the one in June and we can meet up. I am on hols from this coming friday until the 12th June so hopefully will make it. xx

 

[Caroline101061]

cool - have a look at the video on the Whittington NLOSS website - just seen it - all the team are on there (Ellen the Dietitian has left now) and its a great promotional tool!

 

[purplefluffything]

Afternoon Ladies ,
Caroline I would love to meet with both yourself and Gemmsie; unfortunatly the 18th June I will be on holiday, I come home on the 20th June.
If there is another Thursday meeting that we can arrange I would definatly be more than interested to meet up.

I spoke to Kirsten not so long ago regarding the group session on how long it is. This is due to my pain I cannot sit for long and was worried, she said that I could get up walk about or if need be go outside for a break, she said they do have a break half way through too.

I know this is a wierd question but what are the chairs like to sit in at the group session? I cannot manage those low plastic ones if they are the type of chair I will stay seated in my wheelchair..
My Hubbie will be with me for this education session, he is scared for me and keeps questioning me on things so I will be glad that he will have the opertunity to ask questions himself.

Do you think I will be seeing Mr Sufi seeing I had my first letter from him giving me info on the surgery. He was also the consultant that corresponded with my GP as well.

Caroline how long were you in hospital for when having your bypass and how long was the surgery, hope you don't mind me asking you this.

Take care xx

 

[amysbypass]

Hi all,
where do i begin?
well, my gp sent off my referral back in september. Finally had group session in november! Had first appt with one of dr heath's minions on feb 10th he informed me i needed a cpex and that because of my lack of co morbidities i should be having my op in late april. He said he was going to send a letter to request my cpex. Anyway, a whole month passed of me calling lorna weekly asking what was happening, only to be told my cpex appt letter needed to be edited by the dr. After a month of calling the letter finally got sent. Went to see respiratory cons in early april. He said i did not need a cpex and that that don't know why one was requested? Instead i had to have sleep studies. So waited 3 more weeks for that (11 may). So now things are really falling behind first dr's schedule! Following week saw dr heath himself and asked him what was going on? He said sorry for first dr's very wrong estimate for my date and that i could not speak with that dr as he is now in germany! How convenient! Also that yes i do need this dam cpex and that original dr now in germany had sent letter to wrong department!!! Now i am seething! Also as my pct (Islington) will not accept apps till all tests are done i'm sitting there now thinking great! Even more delays! Fortunately my mum was with me and managed to persuade dr heath to apply for my funding as the cpex in my case is non essential! So he agreed and said he would email lorna and ask her to do the app. So pleased with outcome i keep hosp and rang lorna to check she had recieved the email. She said that dr heath should have filled it in when i was in my appt in front of me!!! So she was emailing him back a red email to request he does the app. So i called her a week later to check it was done and low and behold, it was still not done but he said he was going to do it last thursday. So i call this tues just gone after bank hols and find out its still not done!!!!!!!! Now i have had enough!!! She said that dr heath would not be able to do it on the weds...

 

[amysbypass]

... AS dr heath was in surgery and she was going on leave till mid of june and so it would have to wait till she came back as no one was replacing her!!!!!!! Now remember i was originally told april!!!! So feeling really crap yesterday morning i rang my mum (bless her) and she said just give me lorna's number and i will call her!!!! So she did and told her how upset this has all made me with all the mess ups and that original false date in april etc etc and asked if anything could be done. Cut a very long story short yes there was and she got the app done today!!! She rang me and couldn't apologise enough! Don't know everything my mum said but boy did It work!!! She was going to ask the pct to fast track my app for one week when usually it can take up to three!!! So if all goes as planned my funding should be approved by next friday and i should be on waiting list the following week! The waiting list is up to 10 weeks at the moment. But as i have few other probs mine could come a little sooner. Also there are always cancellations!!!! I live in hope!!! What a journey so far!!!!! And thank god for mums!!!!!

 

[amysbypass]

just read that back and realised i really do ramble on!!!!!!!! sorry!

 

[GemmsieJ]

Wow sounds like you've had a real struggle Amy, well a struggle with all the processes from the Whittington at least. So hopefully you'll have the op in about 10 weeks then? That's fab. Let me know what happens at your next appt as I'm keen to know!

Take care

Gemma xx

 

[amysbypass]

Hi Gemma,
yes i have been through she mill with the whit! Will keep you updated as i progress. Keep me updated on your progress too. And ask anything you like, i am more than happy to help if i can with anything re the whit. Take care
Amy xxx

 

[judybrowneyes]

Hiya I am another Whittington bypass lol it is a great hospital for this procedure , I am now 2 weeks 2 days post op and feeling fine . good luck to those of you at beginning of your journey it is so worth the wait

 

[Caroline101061]

Hi Amy and gemmsie and hello new lady!

Support Groups are on the third thursday of every month . Dates are on the website.
Guys, if you are having problems with tests or appointments, email Mr Sufi or call Kirstenthe bariatric nurse. Its the only way to get things sorted. Heath relies on Lorna who is rubbish If you want to see Mr Sufi rather than Mr Heath, ask for him personally. Its your life and your op so dont be afraid to speak out. It worked for me. All details of emails etc are on whittington website. Patient power works - promise.