Gastric bypass on the NHS?

Hi Shibby,

I think where you live depends a lot on the steps you have to take to progress to a referral.

For me personally I have had to see dieticians, a psychotherapist, follow a 12 weeks food nutrition and exercise regime/classes, plus I have been seeing a personal health trainer for almost a year. I also had to see a bariactric doctor last August (who visited the area and saw lots of patients) who assessed if I was 'right' for surgery. After seeing him I had to wait for my referral to Luton and Dunstable which I received in January this year. My first appointment I was seen by a nurse who took bloods etc, I then had a ecg, i then sas a man who allows assess if you're a good candidate (I cannot remember his title sorry). That visit to the hospital was just over 3 hours long. My last appointment was April, I saw the nurse, followed by the dietitian who explained about the low calorie liquid diet, followed by the psychologist who needs to ensure that you're mentally prepared etc. Two days after seeing the team I started the lcld, I have 3-4 pints of semi skimmed milk a day, I take a multi vitamin, I am meant to have 1 or 2 salty drinks a day although I struggle like mad with them as they make me gag, I'm also supposed to drink 2 litres of water a day. I go back to LAD the second week of June at which point I will have been on the milk diet for 5.5 weeks. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be as luckily I don't really suffer from head hunger aka cravings and I've also lost about 10kg so far using this method. I can have sugar free jelly too if I want it but as I hate sweetener with a passion it's just not for me.

I can keep you updated with what happens next I'd you like? If I can help with anything else just give me a shout. I'm based not too far from Norwich by the way and my journey to LAD is over 130 miles each way.

I forget to say, since first asking my doctor for help it's been at least 3 years until now although I would like to hope other's wouldn't have to wait that long

I also felt the same about the food classes and ended up teaching them things as I learnt to count carbs 30 years ago

I forget to say, since first asking my doctor for help it's been at least 3 years until now although I would like to hope other's wouldn't have to wait that long

I also felt the same about the food classes and ended up teaching them things as I learnt to count carbs 30 years ago

Hi Shibby!

Although I wasn't referred on the NHS for the bypass I was referred for a gastric band and had to go through the process and saw people wanting bypasses etc!

For our area, I had to go to interviews with a dietician, a phycologist and a personal trainer (all separately) I then was put on the program which intailed attending an exercise class once a week and on a different day once a week, a weigh in/group session! This would of been for 16 weeks and then they would monitor me for 2-3 years and wasn't guaranteed surgery at the end of this!!

I had already had my mind set on getting a gastric band and after the initial interviews and the fact that I would have to take 2 afternoons off from work a week to travel to these classes for the next 16+ weeks I decided to go privately because I would of been too devastated if I had gone through all of that for so long and not got any surgery at the end of it!

I had my band fitted end of October 14 and so far have lost 5.2 stone, it's coming off steadily and I'm loving it! So glad I went for it, although still paying for it, but will all be paid off by next year!

Just really think if you want the surgery and if the program will be worth it and fit in with you.

All programs are different I'm sure but I met a lady at these classes that had been on the program for nearly 5 years for a bypass!

X

Hi good luck with your journey, hope you don't have to wait too long! I'm the old one Im 60 lol and had my band fitted 10 days ago, all going very well have lost 20lb since starting the liver shrinking diet on 1st May, I had my band fitted in Brentwood, no regrets!! xx

Hi I had my surgery on NHS, three years ago. I saw my doctor who put me forward to The Primary Trust who gave me full funding, that part took a week ! I chose where I wanted my surgery. Had an appointment at the hospital and saw the doctor, nutritional it's and physchologist. Went on a milk diet to lose weight for a month, lost a stone and a half. Then saw surgeon again and decided whether he would do surgery and if a band or bypass. As I had diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholestrol, sleep apniea,and a history of heart disease in the family it was decided to do the bypass. Set date for surgery and then had to try and keep weight off, then two weeks prior to surgery had to,do milk diet again to shrink liver ready for surgery. I had surgery but had complications due to a blood clot forming in my bowel afterwards. They had to open me up again and sort it out, so from only being in hospital for two nights I was in for fourteen. Took a long time to heal and get back on my feet. Lost nearly six stone, have put on about two stone in past twelve months due to stress related anxiety and depression. Not by eating too much but by going back to bad habits and eating wrong foods. have also been diagnosed in last six months with underactive thyroid which is still being sorted. 

What I will say is that it does change your life and I am glad I had it done as I would have never got my weight under control and would have been looking at early death.

Hope this has helped and not put you off. Good Luck ! 

regards. Sue