ObesityHelp UK and Ireland
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Topic: Just Got Back From Vacation
Not been here due to an extended vacation, will ill you in once im less exhausted but I just have to share this pic with you al :D
Topic: RE: What type of WLS education did your surgeon mandate?
Discussion meeting with surgeon about wls
General health check by surgeon (at same time as above)
ECG
usual pre-anaesthetic checks (incl bloods etc)
1 meeting with dietician (had lots more but only the first one was seen as mandatory
Other than that - binder of info to read but I coudl phone / e mail dietician at any tiem to askf or elucidation!
Kate
Discussion meeting with surgeon about wls
General health check by surgeon (at same time as above)
ECG
usual pre-anaesthetic checks (incl bloods etc)
1 meeting with dietician (had lots more but only the first one was seen as mandatory
Other than that - binder of info to read but I coudl phone / e mail dietician at any tiem to askf or elucidation!
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
Topic: RE: What type of WLS education did your surgeon mandate?
Going private as I did, really means they want very little from you other than your money. I went for an initial consult - firstly with a lady who'd had the surgery but with no medical background, really she was a sales girl, but she was informative and spent time talking about the surgery types and how they can affect you.
I then went straight to see the surgeon, who pretty much just went through a more detailed explanation of the procedures and how and why they work. It was very informative and as I had done stacks of research, not to mention having considered it for years and years, it was really all I wanted. I hate those classes and things you have to go to, but I know not every does their homework, and I'm positive a lot of people would benefit - but I was very very glad I had no other requirements.
Although I have to say, the sales girl was really misleading about a few things - no surprise there. I asked her about vitamins and what I would need to take with rny. She told me I'd need to take a multivitamin but only in the same way anyone on a diet should and that I'd need a little extra calcium, but if I liked milk, a glass a day would sort that out!!! Hmmmmmm, a bit naughty, though I'm kinda glad tbh, because if she had told me I would be taking supplements 7 times a day in 2 hourly intervals I would have had really serious doubts. And although it is by far the worst part of all this for me, its funny what you get used to.
I then went straight to see the surgeon, who pretty much just went through a more detailed explanation of the procedures and how and why they work. It was very informative and as I had done stacks of research, not to mention having considered it for years and years, it was really all I wanted. I hate those classes and things you have to go to, but I know not every does their homework, and I'm positive a lot of people would benefit - but I was very very glad I had no other requirements.
Although I have to say, the sales girl was really misleading about a few things - no surprise there. I asked her about vitamins and what I would need to take with rny. She told me I'd need to take a multivitamin but only in the same way anyone on a diet should and that I'd need a little extra calcium, but if I liked milk, a glass a day would sort that out!!! Hmmmmmm, a bit naughty, though I'm kinda glad tbh, because if she had told me I would be taking supplements 7 times a day in 2 hourly intervals I would have had really serious doubts. And although it is by far the worst part of all this for me, its funny what you get used to.
Topic: RE: Thank Goodness for the NHS
Yes, as Binty has said, I was "only" BMI 43 and had no co-morbidities.
Kate
Yes, as Binty has said, I was "only" BMI 43 and had no co-morbidities.
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
Topic: RE: Thank Goodness for the NHS
Do consider yourself lucky - I was on the wrong side of the postcode lottery - I'm in Northants. I finally got a referral from my doctor to the NHS, but with a bmi of 47.3 and morbidly obese they told me they don't cover it in Northants. However I do wonder if my bmi had been over 50 and putting me into the bracket of super morbidly obese if I would have been considered, otherwise why send me for an appointment at all.
In any case, it was nearly 2 years later that I decided further diets just weren't going to shed all that weight, so I self funded, maybe I should have tried NHS again as my bmi was up to 50.4, but it never really occurred to me. However self funding - apart from the money!!! - was a joy, the waiting was pretty non-existent, from the time I had my money in place I could've had the surgery as little as 10 days later. There was a very basic check-up and nothing else and it was all really very easy. But like Kate said, I am safe and secure in the knowledge that the NHS is there for me for the future - and that makes me feel very lucky too.
In any case, it was nearly 2 years later that I decided further diets just weren't going to shed all that weight, so I self funded, maybe I should have tried NHS again as my bmi was up to 50.4, but it never really occurred to me. However self funding - apart from the money!!! - was a joy, the waiting was pretty non-existent, from the time I had my money in place I could've had the surgery as little as 10 days later. There was a very basic check-up and nothing else and it was all really very easy. But like Kate said, I am safe and secure in the knowledge that the NHS is there for me for the future - and that makes me feel very lucky too.
Topic: RE: What type of WLS education did your surgeon mandate?
Wow did you have alot of education... I also was done in the States (MD to be exact) and I got about a 1/12 of that...
I had to attend a seminar before the surgeon would meet with me...
I had one appointment with a psychologist to get an approval letter that I was a good candidate (insurance required).
I had one appointment with a nutritionist (my program also gives me free access to her for appointments for up to 18 months post op - I have not followed up with her)
I have a pre op class a week before surgery that read through the entire binder we were given in 4 hours...
I have access to the surgeon via phone or email whenever I want it. I have support meetings monthy I can attend that are sponsored by our surgeon.
I have the nurse that works directly with our surgeon during surgery as well as for aftercare - she is on OH all the time, she also answers emails and phone called round the clock... I love this woman to death - she is also an RNY patient of 7 years...
I have a great support group of friends from OH - we have a local MD board... some of us get together for lunch EVERY Friday - they are my sounding board, if I feel scared or insecure after them, I call the office and get real medical advice - that has only happened once however during my first few days after surgery...
I would love to hear what others got - and how they get their info...
I had to attend a seminar before the surgeon would meet with me...
I had one appointment with a psychologist to get an approval letter that I was a good candidate (insurance required).
I had one appointment with a nutritionist (my program also gives me free access to her for appointments for up to 18 months post op - I have not followed up with her)
I have a pre op class a week before surgery that read through the entire binder we were given in 4 hours...
I have access to the surgeon via phone or email whenever I want it. I have support meetings monthy I can attend that are sponsored by our surgeon.
I have the nurse that works directly with our surgeon during surgery as well as for aftercare - she is on OH all the time, she also answers emails and phone called round the clock... I love this woman to death - she is also an RNY patient of 7 years...
I have a great support group of friends from OH - we have a local MD board... some of us get together for lunch EVERY Friday - they are my sounding board, if I feel scared or insecure after them, I call the office and get real medical advice - that has only happened once however during my first few days after surgery...
I would love to hear what others got - and how they get their info...
Angie
Topic: RE: Thank Goodness for the NHS
It sounds like you had wonderful care!! I really think these programs are coming a long way and that NHS will certainly in time have to REALLY consider all the PROs in WLS.
We all know-those of us who have been so very ill with our obesity, that this will SAVE NHS so much money!!
Cheers,
T
We all know-those of us who have been so very ill with our obesity, that this will SAVE NHS so much money!!
Cheers,
T
Topic: What type of WLS education did your surgeon mandate?
Hi all!
So-one of my big "Things" (causes) has to do with getting educated and staying up on all things concerning weight loss surgery and staying healthy.
I didn't have my surgery in the UK, so obviously things will be different in some ways. Even so-in the US-things varied from state to state and surgeon to surgeon.
The place I went-my surgeon and staff required me to attend
1-psychiatrist meeting-at which time she prescribed 3 months of counseling. I was already in therapy! LOL!
12-Nutrition classes-2 hours each
12-Life after WLS classes-2 hours each
2 one-on-one meetings with the dietitian/nutritionist
AND-a test prior to my surgery to ensure I had an understanding of what would happen to me during and after surgery.
As I read-I am starting to see that many folks were not given much information. OR-they were given a big binder notebook with information but very little one-on-one with the surgeons and staff to get more information.
Can you tell me what your requirements were/are and how you feel about it?
My thought is that regardless of what was prescribed to us-going forward we absolutely MUST be our own best advocates. In the scheme of things/time-WLS is still a very NEW thing. We are learning new things every day about how our bodies react and change with our various surgeries.
MANY of our GPs are not really educated in WLS. As a matter of fact-my GP told me I am here ONLY bariatric patient. Oftentimes-I will do my research and bring it to her to show her what I require to stay healthy.
It can seem overwhelming-but I believe it is paramount that we take responsibility for our health and remember that many of our doctors just are not deeply schooled in this process. Certainly-our surgeons are and were-but many of us will go see our GPs as well throughout our lives.
Please share your thoughts and opinions!!
Peace,
T
So-one of my big "Things" (causes) has to do with getting educated and staying up on all things concerning weight loss surgery and staying healthy.
I didn't have my surgery in the UK, so obviously things will be different in some ways. Even so-in the US-things varied from state to state and surgeon to surgeon.
The place I went-my surgeon and staff required me to attend
1-psychiatrist meeting-at which time she prescribed 3 months of counseling. I was already in therapy! LOL!
12-Nutrition classes-2 hours each
12-Life after WLS classes-2 hours each
2 one-on-one meetings with the dietitian/nutritionist
AND-a test prior to my surgery to ensure I had an understanding of what would happen to me during and after surgery.
As I read-I am starting to see that many folks were not given much information. OR-they were given a big binder notebook with information but very little one-on-one with the surgeons and staff to get more information.
Can you tell me what your requirements were/are and how you feel about it?
My thought is that regardless of what was prescribed to us-going forward we absolutely MUST be our own best advocates. In the scheme of things/time-WLS is still a very NEW thing. We are learning new things every day about how our bodies react and change with our various surgeries.
MANY of our GPs are not really educated in WLS. As a matter of fact-my GP told me I am here ONLY bariatric patient. Oftentimes-I will do my research and bring it to her to show her what I require to stay healthy.
It can seem overwhelming-but I believe it is paramount that we take responsibility for our health and remember that many of our doctors just are not deeply schooled in this process. Certainly-our surgeons are and were-but many of us will go see our GPs as well throughout our lives.
Please share your thoughts and opinions!!
Peace,
T
Topic: RE: Thank Goodness for the NHS
Yes I can verify all of the post by Adrienne as I had a VSG done on the NHS at Charing Cross and the team were fabulous and we are really lucky as other areas don't put a lot of funding into WLS but as Charing Cross is home to the l UK's first Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC) and the largest trust in the country they put a lot of emphesis on prevention of further health problems for obese patients and you do have to prove you can or have tried to lose weight under your own steam ( I lost 55lbs by going to weigh****chers) and I did have a sleep study done with which it was also discovered I had sleep apnoea which resulted in me having a BiPap Machine ( also on the NHS)
Topic: RE: Thank Goodness for the NHS
How interesting. At Charing Cross I was put through a multitude of tests before I was accepted for surgery. I had to prove that I had tried to lose weight on my own, I had a psych evaluation, attended a mandatory information session and group meeting with post-op patients, had about 8 vials of blood taken and tested for various things, an ECG and a meeting with a nutritionist. I am scheduled to go in for a meeting with the anesthetist three weeks before my operation and I know others who were sent for sleep studies (thankfully I did not need one as I do not snore).
I wonder if perhaps there is an unfortunate postcode lottery involved. I know that many of the people I encounter at the hospital believe that the NHS approval rate and the time it takes to be approved is closely related to geography.
Hopefully my experience is where the future is headed! (I am very sad to hear about the changes at Reading)
Adrienne
I wonder if perhaps there is an unfortunate postcode lottery involved. I know that many of the people I encounter at the hospital believe that the NHS approval rate and the time it takes to be approved is closely related to geography.
Hopefully my experience is where the future is headed! (I am very sad to hear about the changes at Reading)
Adrienne
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