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Gastric bypass on the NHS?

Posted , 33 users are following.

Shibby91
Shibby91

I know this can be a controversial topic but I don't want any grief or personal opinions I need help and that's why I'm here thank you!!!

Anyhow i am at the very first stages and wondered if anyone could share their experiences..... Where I live before you are referred to the bariatric services you have to attend a food for thought group which runs for 12 weeks and I'm 5 weeks in its terribly boring because I feel like ' I know all this already!!! But I will continue to go and once I have completed they say I will be referred to the bariatric service so my question really is what happens next?? What is the time scales who do I see??

Thanks for your help!!!

3 likes, 31 replies

31 Replies

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  • sue30048
    sue30048 Shibby91

    Posted

    Forgot to say all this was within twelve months so I was really lucky here in Northamptonshire
    • laura5678
      laura5678 sue30048

      Posted

      Hi Sue can I ask where u had your op as I'm also in Northamptonshire and need somewhere close thx

    • sue30048
      sue30048 laura5678

      Posted

      Hi Laura

      I had mine at Luton and Dunstable as it was close. Only an hour away and easy to drive. The other option was Birmingham. Have a look on both hospital websites. My surgeon was lovely also dietician.

      Feel free to contact me anytime if you want support

      Sue x

  • Pookie72
    Pookie72 Shibby91

    Posted

    Hi Shibby, I'm in the north east too, I had a gastric bypass 8 weeks ago on the nhs, I was referred by my GP to the food for thought class for 12 weeks, after I completed that I was referred to the bariatric team at Northumberland health care trust, it took about 2 months to get referred, after I attended the first appointment there it took 5 months till I had my surgery, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask me smile good luck x
    • Shibby91
      Shibby91 Pookie72

      Posted

      Thank you all so much for your help it really means a lot I have been really uncertain as they don't give much away! But again thanks for the advice especially you Pookie as its the same trust as mine so you have really given me an idea of the time scale!! ☺️
    • Pookie72
      Pookie72 Shibby91

      Posted

      I don't mean to make it sound easy, you still need to attend all of the different appointments that everyone else has mentioned and you need to have lost weight every time you attend the clinics etc, I was told 5 months is the quickest, possible if you lose weight consistently and have no other problems smile ( I lost 5 stone before surgery) In hindsight I was very lucky, I wish you well on your weight loss journey x
    • Beano
      Beano Pookie72

      Posted

      I somehow managed to gain weight during my classes, not sure how. I was lucky enough to still be put forward for surgery smile
    • iman52
      iman52 Pookie72

      Posted

      Hi Pookie72

      I have been referred by my gp. And only just recived a letter from Whittington hospital baictric clinic . Just wondering what does it this mean . And Happens after this meeting at the hospital ?

      any help is great .

      iman

  • prudepixie
    prudepixie Shibby91

    Posted

    i live in cheshire and had to do the silly group dispite knowing it all but it is essential then you will have to see a dietitian and psychotherapist for how ever long they think you need to which really helps but they basically tell you everything you already know i just went along with it if you continually lose weight and tell them your doing everything they ask ect you will get through it faster i saw mine for less than 6 months the psychologist helped but the dietian i kinda knew it all already then they will tell you they think your ready and put you forward for surgery mine happened very quickly hope your as lucky good luck keep with the good work x
  • Chanters
    Chanters Shibby91

    Posted

    I'm in Devon, uk. I had my gastric band on Tues! I first discussed surgery with my GP 18mths ago after a life time of weight issues. I did a 6mth compulsory stage 3 Obesity course starting in Jan 2014, which involved meeting fortnightly for a weigh in, discussion/training on various subjects from portion size/ labels on brands/imagining and feeling your foods/ and indepth info on pros/cons etc of band and bypass, then we would have a 30min exercise routine.

    Also I was asked to do a 6 week CBT course (helping depression/aniety -not food related). By the end Jun 2014 I had to have lost at least 5% of my body weight by the end. I did so was referred to Torbay (nearest hospital) I saw consultant Sept 2014, had to do a sleep apnia test in Oct 2014 and saw the phycologist in Dec2014....passed all these so got referred to Taunton Musgrove park Hospital (SW centre of excellence for gastric bands and bypasses) in jan 2015.

    Went for info day in Mar 2015. Had 'one stop' (ECG, bloods, swabs, chats with surgeon, anethetist, dietician) in April 2015. At this point I was switching between wanting the bypass and band....so opted for the Research project ...where the computer descides for you. I met for the research project early May....was told band and had it done on Tues.

    I do know someone who went on the same day as me for the 'one stop' but has chosen bypass and not the research project, she is still waiting for a date.... I know I am very lucky and so far happy but have a long way to go!

  • debra_30055
    debra_30055 Shibby91

    Posted

    Hi Shibby,

    I've just come across your post from 7months ago. I start the Food for Thought group mid January and was just wondering what happens after you complete the course and where you are in your journey?

    Kind Regards,

    Debra

  • kate03990
    kate03990 Shibby91

    Posted

    Hello Shibby

    ?It feels so negative doesn't it?  I remember wanting to get to the next step.  It is very very difficult to respond without giving any personal opinions, as I can only tell you my experience and how I felt about it.

    ?When I first saw the consultant I told him that I didn't want to see psychologists or dieticians.  Give him his due, he didn't shove it down my throat, but did say that I would have to see a psychologist to ensure that I was in the right place emotionally.

    ?I ended up seeing 2 psychologists and a dietician and attending a mindful eating group.  In the end it took me 4 years   ... yes 4 YEARS to get to surgery, some of that was me changing my mind and changing it back again.

    ?However, it is a major life changing event.  Gastric bypass cannot be undone.  I am confident that I will continue to get fitter and healthier, even though I have now lost 104% of my excess weight .... I do need to build strength and stamina.  (This is where opinion comes in)   I do believe that the preparation has led to my success.  I catch myself looking at chocolate sometimes, I don't really want it, and the work before surgery helps me to know that .  I haven't had chocolate, ice cream or sweets since before my surgery.

    ?Once I had been through the steps before hand, things happened quite quickly.  I

    It may seem boring, but I'm sure that you can glean a few tips from it. and 12 weeks does feel like a long time when you are doing it, but  when you have the surgery and life begins to get great it will all be worth it.

    Good luck, be positive

    ?Kate 

  • sharron0
    sharron0 Shibby91

    Posted

    Hi

    I've only been referred by my GP even though she tried to talk me out of it.

    I've been trying to lose weight for 24 years and yo-yoing all the time.

    I've had diabetes for 14 years and the weight gets harder to lose.

    So fingers crossed that I don't have to wait too long.

    But good luck with your weight loss journey

  • Jetsky
    Jetsky Shibby91

    Posted

    Hi. I've been reading your posts with interest. I have asked my Dr to refer me for gastric bypass. I have Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and been diagnosed with arthritis in my hip, knee, lower back and I'm in a wheelchair. I'm 5ft2. Weigh 17.6 stone. So way to heavy. I have been on every diet since I was 14. He isn't helpful. He said see nurse about my diet. So, got to see if she will be able to help me. I need the weight of, not to look good, but so I'm not a burden on anyone if I fall and can't get up. I won't have surgery on my hip until I get weight of. I couldn't manage my weight as it is now.

    Thanks for listening. I look forward to reading your updates. Xx

  • jade90729
    jade90729 Shibby91

    Posted

    hi shibby,

    im currently under the bariatric team and have been since the beginning of 2019. ive seen the doctor and specialist nurse once and then have had regular appointments with a dietician. I have done everything they set and they have made me an appointment (which happens to be tomorrow) where i will have a video call with the consultant, dietician and the specialist nurse then after all of the appointments they will have a meeting and decide if im able to formally be put on the waiting list for surgery. i was told pre covid the list is around a 12 month wait but its now looking like 18 months. ... just a waiting game i think 😃

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