How many, if any, are NHS?

I'm NHS funded & hoping surgery will be in May 09. Yep, the funding was quick for me too. Manchester PCT seems to have it's act together. I saw a consultant on 19/12/08 and he applied for funding which came through early January 09.

Peppa, that's brilliant!!   kate

Keep us updated on your surgery date so we can support you through it :o)

Ruth

Will do. Thank you.

I am not NHS because I am in Sweden but I am getting it done via the publically funded health care system and not paying privately.

So far it seems to be moving along rather well. I am under the 40 bmi (just by a small amount though) with no co-morbidities and I had no problem getting approved. I now have my appt with the nutritionist next week and after that I get a surgical appt. The surgeon said it would be 2 to 3 months, but the hosptial home page says they dont do surgeries in summer so I am not sure what that will mean for me since those 2 to 3 months would mean a summer surgery.

I had my Gastric bypass done privately- I tred to get it done on the NHS, but was told I didn't qualify as I didn't have any obesity related health conditions ( That may be, but I was nearly 370lbs, and would've at some point developed something- I've always thought prevenion was better than cure, but hey ho!).

Even though the bypass cost me an arm and a leg, it was the best thing I've ever done and I would do it again a heartbeat! I have two years aftercare with my surgeon and his team, who are great, but my GP is also great, as she fought for me with the NHS referal. I have all my vitamins and other post-op medication from my GP-this saves me a fortune as prescriptions are free in Wales!

I have alot of friends that I have met on facebook through various WLS groups that have had their ops done on the NHS. It has made me quite angry on occassions, especially as one friend had a bypass at 18stone with no obesity related conditions- I'm not mad at her, just mad at her- just mad at the system! BUt oh well, it's done now, and I'm getting my life back, so it's all worth it in the end!

It seems to be random whether you get NHS funded or not or what is used a qualifying conditions - that doesn't seem right to me.  Post Code lottery...very unfair

Ruth