Whittington peeps can ya help me plsssss xx

[Roch]

Hi all well i had my first info meeting yesterday at the Whittington and met 2 fab Mm crew Natalie and Ellen.
Am now waiting for my first appointment and will def be ringing up for cancellations soon as the app is on the system

Was wondering a few things for those of you who have had your op or just bout to have your op when u had ur first app with either Sufi or Heath.

1) Was ur funding applied for at ur first app with either consultant.
2) What further tests were you sent for
3) Did you suffer from any depression or emotionally eat and they felt you had to have a psych appointment and if so did you have to have any form of therapy b4 surgery could go ahead.
Soz this is a personal question and i totally understand if you dont want to answer it.
4) If found to have sleep apnoea did you have to have any treatment b4 surgery.
5) If you are to heavy for the bike which i know i am will i have to do something else.
6) How long did u have to wait till u went on the waiting list from the time u first saw Sufi or Heath.


Soz for the questions but i chatted so much yesterday at the meeting but forgot to ask those things, and feel its much better getting the answers from you lot who have just gone through the whole procedure.

Thanks and take care luv Roch and sorry for being a nosey bi*tch

 

[purplefluffything]

Hi flower,
Wish I could answer those questions for you but I can't coz Im in same place has you.
By the way you are def not a nosey B***ch!
Someone will be along to help soon.
xx

 

[Roch]

Hi flower,
Wish I could answer those questions for you but I can't coz Im in same place has you.
By the way you are def not a nosey B***ch!
Someone will be along to help soon.
xx

I am lol but these questions i think alot of us new peeps at the Whittington would most prob want to know.
Take care hun and have a good night xxxx

 

[Roch]

Just bumping this up for all ur Whitt peeps xxx

 

[Twiggie]

I can't answer your questions Roch but I'm certainly keeping an eye on this thread ready for when it's my turn to go

Read your other one too about the group meeting, such a relief to be able to know in advance what to expect, you don't know how much it's helped me so thanks hun

 

[Lady_in_London]

Roch - Hi!!!! I have just been reading your various posts. Well done for reaching your decision to have wls. At least this will DEFINATELY work and will be PERMANENT!!!!

I can only answer your question re the psych appt from what I have heard in other places(!)

Some patients see a psychologist - those that fill in the questionnaires in a certain way. Others will more complicated probs or a history will see a psychiatrist. Your GP will also confirm the history in that way, so people can't fool the hospital, not that they would want to anyway.

Whether it is a psychologist or psychiatrist, that professional will certainly be well qualified in the long appointment (poss one and a half hour appt) to be able to give a prospective patient strategies, and even a mini CBT session in that appt to help a prospective patient cope with their food demons. These strategies can be invaluable and these professionals have heard it all before and are able to advise patients according to that patient's particular food demon or problem.

If the psychologist or psychiatrist deems that the prospective wls patient may have problems, he or she will recommend a food and mood diary. A patient writes down everything he or she eats and drinks for a week or more and their mood at the time. Basically these psyc appointments are to get a grip on a patient's eating pattern and where, when and why that person eats what they do.

The psyc will also want to make sure, in some instances, that the GP is able to give follow-up counselling support whenever a patient is struggling after the bypass. Wls makes a patient less hungry, obviously, but it is not always hunger that drives a person to overeat, so the emotional back-up has to be there.

If a patient has a binge eating problem - and a psych will be able to determine whether there is a genuine Binge Eating Disorder - a referral may be made to a Specialist Eating Disorders Unit.

Really wls on the NHS is only able to go ahead when the hospital teams psychologist or psychiatrist is confident that the patient is in the right frame of mind to control their eating. Of course, overeating after wls can be physically very difficult or impossible, but unfortunately some patients do it.

Sorry I can't answer the other questions, but I would if I could.

Very best wishes, Roch. xxx

 

[thinkbethin]

Hi Roch, sorry I can't help as I don't know the Whittington. Just want to wish you luck in getting some answersxx

 

[amysbypass]

Here are a few answers although a little jumbled up!
i did not have psych appointment, was never referred for one.
Sleep apnea treatment will only be needed if you have it bad, i never.
cpex i all i know about, not sure about any other similar tests?
waited 6 months from first consultation till op date. Went on waiting list after 4 months of first consultation.
Funding depends on your pct. Mine asks that you have all assessment tests done first before applying. Some do it before the tests. You need to call the secretary to ask her how yours works.
think thats it? Hope that has helped a little!!!

 

[Caroline101061]

Hi all well i had my first info meeting yesterday at the Whittington and met 2 fab Mm crew Natalie and Ellen.
Am now waiting for my first appointment and will def be ringing up for cancellations soon as the app is on the system

Was wondering a few things for those of you who have had your op or just bout to have your op when u had ur first app with either Sufi or Heath.

1) Was ur funding applied for at ur first app with either consultant.
2) What further tests were you sent for
3) Did you suffer from any depression or emotionally eat and they felt you had to have a psych appointment and if so did you have to have any form of therapy b4 surgery could go ahead.
Soz this is a personal question and i totally understand if you dont want to answer it.
4) If found to have sleep apnoea did you have to have any treatment b4 surgery.
5) If you are to heavy for the bike which i know i am will i have to do something else.
6) How long did u have to wait till u went on the waiting list from the time u first saw Sufi or Heath.


Soz for the questions but i chatted so much yesterday at the meeting but forgot to ask those things, and feel its much better getting the answers from you lot who have just gone through the whole procedure.

Thanks and take care luv Roch and sorry for being a nosey bi*tch

Hiya

Will try and answer your questions in order.
1. Hospital will apply for funding for you after first appt with consultant. They have to establish what op is best for you which has to go to relevant PCT.
2. I had the following: ECG x 2 (results are only relevant for 6 months!), Heart Echo, Sleep Apnea, at Pre Op was tested for MRSA (thankfully this is standard practice now). There is also another test involving an exercise bike but I avoided that one!
3. Think everyone who has their op at the Whittington is sent for a psych evaluation pre surgery - I am/was an emotional eater and suffer from depression - I was receiving counselling at the time although this has sadly now stopped. No treatment required pre surgery but I would recommend to anyone that they get some form of counselling with regards to their eating problems. The op cures your body but not your head which is what caused the problems in the first place.
4. Didnt have sleep apnea but I know people that do and no, no special treatment was required pre op - they just need to know for anesthetic reasons.
5. Re Bike Test - I was too heavy - just didnt have it - nothing else required!
6. My first appt with Mr Heath was in April 08 - then I heard nothing, nothing, nothing which I surmised was down to still waiting for funding to be approved. After countless emails to Mr Heath and Lorna, I called my PCT to find that my funding had not been applied for despite assurances from the Whittington that it had. Long story short, got a positive answer from the PCT in 48 hours and then complained to Mr Heath who put a rocket up Lorna as it was her fault. Then still heard nothing for 2 months and made an appt to see Mr Heath which was written down wrong and I was apparently 3 weeks early for. Had a stand up row in reception at the Whittington and refused to leave until I saw someone and ended up seeing Mr Sufi who sorted everything out - that was Oct 08. Had surgery in April 09. Moral of the story is stay on top of your paperwork, chase it chase it chase it and hassle Kirsten not Lorna - Kirsten gets things done.

Any more info required - shout!

 

[GemmsieJ]

Hi all well i had my first info meeting yesterday at the Whittington and met 2 fab Mm crew Natalie and Ellen.
Am now waiting for my first appointment and will def be ringing up for cancellations soon as the app is on the system

Was wondering a few things for those of you who have had your op or just bout to have your op when u had ur first app with either Sufi or Heath.

1) Was ur funding applied for at ur first app with either consultant.
2) What further tests were you sent for
3) Did you suffer from any depression or emotionally eat and they felt you had to have a psych appointment and if so did you have to have any form of therapy b4 surgery could go ahead.
Soz this is a personal question and i totally understand if you dont want to answer it.
4) If found to have sleep apnoea did you have to have any treatment b4 surgery.
5) If you are to heavy for the bike which i know i am will i have to do something else.
6) How long did u have to wait till u went on the waiting list from the time u first saw Sufi or Heath.


Soz for the questions but i chatted so much yesterday at the meeting but forgot to ask those things, and feel its much better getting the answers from you lot who have just gone through the whole procedure.

Thanks and take care luv Roch and sorry for being a nosey bi*tch

Hi Roch,

I'm only a little way into the process so can only answer some of your questions...

My funding was already in place before I was referred, Greenwich work like this, the GP refers you to Greenwich PCT for approval for referral and as long as they are happy for you to be referred that is your funding in place!

I am being sent for Thoracic tests (should have been today but had to cancel so now have to wait until Sept 7th) and also Phsych tests.

On your first appt with Heat/Sufi you will be asked if you are an emotinal eater, do you eat when angry/bored/sad/happy! And I think in most cases people probably do. My friend tried to avoid admitting emotional eating as she thought seeing the Phsych would delay her as there is quite a long waiting list to see him/her but she still ended up being referred to the Phsych anyway. As I said I have also got to see them although still waiting for my appt.

I don't really suffer from depression but I do eat when my hubby p*sses me off or when I'm cross.

As far as I know you only have to have sleep apnea tests if your neck measures 41cm or higher so I have to have this. Although again my friend who has a smaller neck also still has to have this but her appts got a bit cocked up and confusing so not really sure why/whether she is still having it.

Hope I don't have to do the bike but we will see!!!!

I had my educational in April 2009 I think and my first appt with Heat was in June 2009, altough my PCT had referred me as far back as Jan/Feb 2009.

Anyway good luck and I hope my info helps, to be honest I think every case is individual and there are lots of contributing factors regarding waiting times and tests. Also I agree if you are waiting for info e-mail or call Kirsten she is a GOD send!!!

Gemma xx

 

[Roch]

Roch - Hi!!!! I have just been reading your various posts. Well done for reaching your decision to have wls. At least this will DEFINATELY work and will be PERMANENT!!!!

I can only answer your question re the psych appt from what I have heard in other places(!)

Some patients see a psychologist - those that fill in the questionnaires in a certain way. Others will more complicated probs or a history will see a psychiatrist. Your GP will also confirm the history in that way, so people can't fool the hospital, not that they would want to anyway.

Whether it is a psychologist or psychiatrist, that professional will certainly be well qualified in the long appointment (poss one and a half hour appt) to be able to give a prospective patient strategies, and even a mini CBT session in that appt to help a prospective patient cope with their food demons. These strategies can be invaluable and these professionals have heard it all before and are able to advise patients according to that patient's particular food demon or problem.

If the psychologist or psychiatrist deems that the prospective wls patient may have problems, he or she will recommend a food and mood diary. A patient writes down everything he or she eats and drinks for a week or more and their mood at the time. Basically these psyc appointments are to get a grip on a patient's eating pattern and where, when and why that person eats what they do.

The psyc will also want to make sure, in some instances, that the GP is able to give follow-up counselling support whenever a patient is struggling after the bypass. Wls makes a patient less hungry, obviously, but it is not always hunger that drives a person to overeat, so the emotional back-up has to be there.

If a patient has a binge eating problem - and a psych will be able to determine whether there is a genuine Binge Eating Disorder - a referral may be made to a Specialist Eating Disorders Unit.

Really wls on the NHS is only able to go ahead when the hospital teams psychologist or psychiatrist is confident that the patient is in the right frame of mind to control their eating. Of course, overeating after wls can be physically very difficult or impossible, but unfortunately some patients do it.

Sorry I can't answer the other questions, but I would if I could.

Very best wishes, Roch. xxx

Hi Pam thanks hun for your post it def helped me get some idea of what to expect.
Hope ur ok will buzz ya over the weekend take care hun and ty xxx

 

[Roch]

Hi Roch, sorry I can't help as I don't know the Whittington. Just want to wish you luck in getting some answersxx

Thank you hun xxxxx

 

[Roch]

Here are a few answers although a little jumbled up!
i did not have psych appointment, was never referred for one.
Sleep apnea treatment will only be needed if you have it bad, i never.
cpex i all i know about, not sure about any other similar tests?
waited 6 months from first consultation till op date. Went on waiting list after 4 months of first consultation.
Funding depends on your pct. Mine asks that you have all assessment tests done first before applying. Some do it before the tests. You need to call the secretary to ask her how yours works.
think thats it? Hope that has helped a little!!!

Hi Amy thanks hun for the info, thats good to hear u went on waiting list after 4 months of first consult that def sounds good.
Mine is diff they are difficult bas*ards lol and like u to jump through hoops.
Yes it has helped me thanks hun and take care xxx

 

[Roch]

Hiya

Will try and answer your questions in order.
1. Hospital will apply for funding for you after first appt with consultant. They have to establish what op is best for you which has to go to relevant PCT.
2. I had the following: ECG x 2 (results are only relevant for 6 months!), Heart Echo, Sleep Apnea, at Pre Op was tested for MRSA (thankfully this is standard practice now). There is also another test involving an exercise bike but I avoided that one!
3. Think everyone who has their op at the Whittington is sent for a psych evaluation pre surgery - I am/was an emotional eater and suffer from depression - I was receiving counselling at the time although this has sadly now stopped. No treatment required pre surgery but I would recommend to anyone that they get some form of counselling with regards to their eating problems. The op cures your body but not your head which is what caused the problems in the first place.
4. Didnt have sleep apnea but I know people that do and no, no special treatment was required pre op - they just need to know for anesthetic reasons.
5. Re Bike Test - I was too heavy - just didnt have it - nothing else required!
6. My first appt with Mr Heath was in April 08 - then I heard nothing, nothing, nothing which I surmised was down to still waiting for funding to be approved. After countless emails to Mr Heath and Lorna, I called my PCT to find that my funding had not been applied for despite assurances from the Whittington that it had. Long story short, got a positive answer from the PCT in 48 hours and then complained to Mr Heath who put a rocket up Lorna as it was her fault. Then still heard nothing for 2 months and made an appt to see Mr Heath which was written down wrong and I was apparently 3 weeks early for. Had a stand up row in reception at the Whittington and refused to leave until I saw someone and ended up seeing Mr Sufi who sorted everything out - that was Oct 08. Had surgery in April 09. Moral of the story is stay on top of your paperwork, chase it chase it chase it and hassle Kirsten not Lorna - Kirsten gets things done.

Any more info required - shout!

Thanks hun will def keep on top of it all when i get my first letter lol x

 

[Roch]

Hi Roch,

I'm only a little way into the process so can only answer some of your questions...

My funding was already in place before I was referred, Greenwich work like this, the GP refers you to Greenwich PCT for approval for referral and as long as they are happy for you to be referred that is your funding in place!

I am being sent for Thoracic tests (should have been today but had to cancel so now have to wait until Sept 7th) and also Phsych tests.

On your first appt with Heat/Sufi you will be asked if you are an emotinal eater, do you eat when angry/bored/sad/happy! And I think in most cases people probably do. My friend tried to avoid admitting emotional eating as she thought seeing the Phsych would delay her as there is quite a long waiting list to see him/her but she still ended up being referred to the Phsych anyway. As I said I have also got to see them although still waiting for my appt.

I don't really suffer from depression but I do eat when my hubby p*sses me off or when I'm cross.

As far as I know you only have to have sleep apnea tests if your neck measures 41cm or higher so I have to have this. Although again my friend who has a smaller neck also still has to have this but her appts got a bit cocked up and confusing so not really sure why/whether she is still having it.

Hope I don't have to do the bike but we will see!!!!

I had my educational in April 2009 I think and my first appt with Heat was in June 2009, altough my PCT had referred me as far back as Jan/Feb 2009.

Anyway good luck and I hope my info helps, to be honest I think every case is individual and there are lots of contributing factors regarding waiting times and tests. Also I agree if you are waiting for info e-mail or call Kirsten she is a GOD send!!!

Gemma xx

Hi Gemma thanks hun its nice to be able to get info and advice from others who have had their op`s or r further down the path then me.
Have they told you when u r going on the waiting list yet, hope it is quick for you.
Wat are thoratic tests soz am thick lol x
Take care and thanks hun xxx

 

[Caroline101061]

Thorassic tests - respiratory tests ie sleep apnea!

 

[Roch]

Thorassic tests - respiratory tests ie sleep apnea!

Lol well i think me having them through my doc will be quicker than me waiting till i have my first consultant app then waiting for a date for them to be arranged so i suppose there is one good thing that might come out of this that i have one less test to wait for at the Whittington

 

[Caroline101061]

absolutely - ask the GP if he could rush the test through as your mobility depends on your car. Crying works really well too.

 

[Roch]

Ty hun have just called my gp and left a message for him to call me, he is still at the surgery now but dont think will get a call today and her is not around tomorrow so fingers crossed he will call me on wednesday, not sure if he can push the app through quicker but its def worth a try thanks hun xxx