charliegirl

Please dont be down, I am suffering a set back in my Quest for banding in the UK.....I know how you feel, although I have not had to spend any money for this as wanting it on the national health service. I do understand your frustrations though. Please dont feel alone, there are others in the same boat....Linda x

Thanks for that Leslie, I feel I am the only one in the world waiting but I know I am not. I will keep you posted as soon as I hear something,

I would sell my soul for a band, I have been referred to the National Health Service by my GP and I am waiting and waiting for the primary care trust to sit around a table and say yeah or nay without even knowing me. I have researched so much on this subject I think I could write a book, I know it will change my life and I dont care that my boobs may shrink or I wont be able to eat full meals again, I will endure the liquid diet, the mush whatever I have to do in order to get my life back on track and see the weight go. I spend every waking minute thinking about this and just want the chance to give it a go. I promise faithfully I will do exactly as I am told re fills etc, I will not eat around the band, I will not moan about any pain from wind or the lack of food I can eat. PCT JUST GIVE ME A CHANCE I WONT LET YOU DOWN AND WASTE YOUR MONEY!

Hi I researched gastric banding on the internet and went armed with facts for my GP but I did not need them. He agreed to refer me straight away. The PCT sit once a month and decide on each persons merits for what they are asking. My local hospital's dont carry out the proceedure so if approved I will travel to another hospital. I spoke to the GP's secretary and she was very helpful, I told her the reasons I wanted the op and she said depending on what he had dictated in his letter she could add more to give a better picture. My BMI is 35, I have high blood pressure and did have high cholestrol which was reduced with meds. I also have trouble breathing when laying down and I am tired all the time. I meet the criteria I just hope some nice person looks down at my letter during that meeting and makes something happen for me. Some friends tell me to think positive others say dont get your hopes up. I have tried every diet apart from fad ones, exercise and tried slimming tablets from the doctor my weight just steadily gains, never stabilies. I need this treatment and my doctor said he would tell them that. I was also told if the PCT say no the doctor can request it again. I will not give up. Hope this helps.

Hi thanks for your reply, not sur how to work these forum thingy's new to it all so bare with me if I am not doing something correct. I think the banding sounds such a good alternative for me as I tend to eat large portions and from what you say it will suit me to the ground. Have only told three close friends and my son that I have been referred. My son is not too keen on me having it done. Two of my friends are supporting me and telling me to be positive but the third seems not so happy she keeps telling me not to get my hopes up as the NHS my refuse, I find this hard as I am trying to think positive thoughts. My GP's secretary had a good chat with me and she said she can "add" things into my referral letter if he has missed things out and I feel she knows the real reasons I want to do this. I have to say the thought of surgery is daunting I think something may go wrong and I get blood clot or something but the desire to be healthier is out weighing the fears just now, if I keep on increasing in weight my health will suffer so its a catch 22 situation. I know what I want and I wont stop till the NHS carry me off to the asylum. I am like a dog with a bone lol..

HI thanks for that, I am very determind and give everything 101% which is why when I cant lose wait I feel such a failure. People dont understand and think your just lazy or greedy and whilst I dont starve myself I eat very healthy. Thank goodness for an understanding GP that last one kept giving me slimming tablets that did nothing to stop me eating but made me very jittery and they dont come cheap. Look forwrd to chatting to your some more so hope you can tag me, I dont have a clue lol....Linda

Hi thanks for your reply, how long did it take to find out they would not pay? Did you have health problems as well as being over weight? I have tried everything to lose some weight and it just goes up and up, if it stablised at least I could cope. I would not be able to afford to go private for it, I told the doctor that I wanted to get a loan to pay for it but he said he would tell them the reasons I needed it. I can only keep my fingers crossed but the wait is killing me. I will wait and see what your mums friend says, thanks for reply...

Hi I am in the uk and have been referred by my GP to the NHS for banding. I have BMI of 35, high blood pressure and high cholestrol. Was just reading your post and notice it also includes refulx in the criteria is that correct? I thought it might have prevented me from having the surgery done as I suffer from that at times as well and take tablets daily. The whole idea of banding for me is to be healthier and reduce the problems I already have and also prevent getting any more. Your reply to another user was very informative hence I picked you to question further, I hope you dont mind...

Hi I am very new to this site and would like to hear from anyone in the UK who has had the banding carried out on the NHS. I have researched the internet onthe NHS website and meet the criteria, high BMI and high blood pressure. I have tried every diet under the sun, gone to the gym regularly and taken prescribed slimming tablets off the doctor and my wright just keeps in creasing. I am now getting short of breath and have aching joints tied in with days when I have literally no energy. My doctor states that his referral goes to the nearest primary care trust and before a panel. He has said that he will tell them "I need" the banding. Just wondered if anyone else had been this route and how long it took and any pitfalls they came across. I am ready and armed to lodge an appeal if it comes to it but the wait is killing me (as is the weight).....help, advice and support required please......