Anyone else had to do 'The Weigh Ahead Programme' ?

[luckyknickers57 62]

Tried to resist it, but it was the only way forward here in Hampshire. Just missed the boat.... If I had been referred a month before I would not have had to do it. Story of my life. Hey, but that was my GP for you, 'Oh, you don't want to do that, it's a bit extreme'. Well!!!!!

So there I was surrounded by fat people, all looking as miserable as me, not wanting to make eye contact, in a surgery waiting room, with the smallest of chairs - with arms- it turned out that none of us had been to before. It was a hot day, parking was at least a mile away, getting the picture? So, by the time we were ushered into a small room that had no open windows I was ready to go. The assessments began, the dietician handed out leaflets and made individual appointments, the psychologist sat rubbing his beard, OMG, what was he thinking? Then he made a group appointment, ahhh, the lovely group work, of course I was happy, wanted to chuck myself under a bus rather than face this. However, it had to be done, as my husband kept reminding me, grrrr. And I did do it, the many trips, the dieting, to prove I was committed and was able to work with professionals, the group work, to prove I was able to overcome problems.

I lost the weight, had to be 10% of your excess weight, so, I got my referral to the surgeon, 3RD January 2014. Waiting to see the dietician again, and the anaesthetist, appointments in April. So, in all that's almost a year, my first 'The Weigh Ahead' appointment was in May 2013.

[mummytolewis 21]

I had one appt with the weigh ahead team in sheffield and asked there and then to be refferred for the sleeve,i got my refferal in febuary 2013 and went to the pre bairiatric meeting in march and was offerred my surgery in april.i did,nt have the surgery until august due to holidays booked and my bf wedding,they even took the date of my bf wedding and offerred me surgery 10 days after so i could start the pre op diet the day after!! they were brilliant,i,m almost 6 months post op and 5 stone gone i am half way there and so glad i took the steps to lose the weight.goodluck with your op it wont take long now you have been given the go ahead.

[luckyknickers57 62]

ohhh, I really hope so mummytolewis,

They're not so easy here, really strict, had to complete the six months, minimum programme, had to convince the psychologist, and then they spoke about the referral. They wouldn't even talk much about that stage, they wanted us to concentrate on that stage at that time!!! Well I just hope they are going to be as professional as your hospital where time limits are concerned. But I keep forgetting, what a wonderful outcome I could have, and you're having.... I keep thinking about the obstacles, and I should be thinking about the outcome. Well done to you, keep up the good work. Have you had any regrets?

[yazzy 105]

It will all be worth it Luckyknickers.... I started my journey oct 2012..it took 6 months to get all done that was needed... my surgery was late march 2013... I am 11 month out and down 69-70 pounds ... I am a slow loser but a happy loser... No complications out of the usual ....Life is good just I gotta get back to eating properly I have been grazing lately and am kinda upset with myself ... but I gonna get bac on the wagon. we have a st paddys day challenge starting on feb 17....so that should do it!!!! Good luck in your journey !!!!!!!!!!!!

[willow13 59]

I had just over 2 year of jumping through those hoops. It took 6 months to get the initial appointment with the psychologist then a further 3 months to begin weekly meetings which started off as a group of 11 but by the end of it all there was only 3 of us (they ran for 12 weeks). We went through the diet sheets, the dietician appointments, the psychologist appointments then I had 5 further individual appointments 2 months apart where I had to convince another dietician and weight loss manager that I was a good candidate for surgery before I saw the surgeon back in November, where he thankfully agreed to my surgery. I have now had an endoscopy (that was horrid) and had another appointment with the dietician and a pre-assessment appointment where I had an ECG, blood pressure, oxygen levels, bloods etc carried out. I begin my pre op diet on monday and as much as I am dreading being in the actual hospital, not worried about the operation just dont like hospitals, I can't wait for march to come around.

[luckyknickers57 62]

Oh Yazzy, so pleased to hear about your experience and success. Slow but steady, hare and the tortoise???? Good on you. Keep it up. I know I'm probably being unrealistic, but my daughter had the bypass, and after her consultation, January 2013, she had the procedure ten weeks later, in Chichester. She hasn't looked back. So that's my goalposts, but willow told me I probably won't get it that soon, but ya can't shoot a girl for dreaming, hey?

It's interesting how different health authorities have their own hoops for us to jump through, and timescales too. There should be national standards, then we would know where we are, and can plan accordingly.

Good luck to you love

[luckyknickers57 62]

Blimey Willow, why do they have all these different programmes? Sometimes I wonder if they put obstacles in the way to ensure that not only are we committed, but will do anything to get to our goal. I can appreciate that we have to be mentally ready for after the operation, have the knowledge, determination, and the right mind set, but there seems a big hole in offering information about the type of procedure we would like or need. Over half of my group fell away at the mid term point. Twelve of us to start, and three completed, with all the training, education and weight loss. Who ran your 'Weigh Ahead Programme'? ours was the Spire, Southampton.

Good luck with the pre-op diet, remember, you've come sooo far, and been through so much, for so long, this is the last obstacle before you get what you deserve. The hospital bit should be OK, I've heard that the staff in these departments are really kind, they know you don't want to be there, you'd rather be at home, and will help you through it.

Best wishes

Keep me up to date will you?

[CBF1000 13]

What is this Weigh ahead group?

Why did you have to do it, sorry for sounding so dim. Its just I've not heard about it.

I had my first consultation at the Spire Worcestershire but nothing was said about this.

Cheers

[willow13 59]

I really do hope I am wrong with the timescale thing luckyknickers, I was just going by my timescale but every area is different I guess.

The NHS is tighten their belts when it comes to weight loss surgery so they are making us jump through more and more hoops because so many claim to want it but do not want to put the work in thinking it is going to be easy, I think they want to make sure we are prepared and determined to go ahead as like luckyknickers the group I started with dropped dramatically in numbers from start to finish.

[CBF1000 13]

I understand now, thanks for the information

[luckyknickers57 62]

Thanks Willow,

I hope you are too, but, I understand where you are coming from too. You don't want anyone to get carried away, with false expectations, and I am grateful.

Bet we all think the same thing, let it be over with, let me start new life. X

[luckyknickers57 62]

HI CBF1000

It's just how Willow says,

some health authorities are insisting that we go through this six month programme (stage two they call it) and complete it successfully before the service provider can refer us to the next stage. The paper work then goes off to your GP, they assess what has been done, do a bunch of bloods, get you on the scales, and say if they agree to refer you. Then some time later you get a phone call for your first appointment at the hospital where they seem to have their own systems. This is the beginning of stage three. You are constantly reminded that there is no guarantee that you will be accepted, throughout these stages. Stage one is going to the usual clubs (with evidence) dieticians, other diets and exercise, and not being too successful, or, not keeping the weight off. I understand that other areas are slightly different how they manage it, and us. But yeah, I guess it's to make sure that we understand the life changing commitment. We are proving that we can hit our targets, work with professionals and show that we are serious. Also I guess that it is also a way of saving some money for the NHS, by sifting through and identifying the people that are more likely to succeed. Hope this is clear, sometimes I rush things!!!!!!

[luckyknickers57 62]

Soooo upset, sooo annoyed

I had two letters, the first was the dietician 11th March (second hospital appointment) and the other is for the anaesthetist on the 11th April. So, of course I phoned the hospital. Seem that everyone else that recently completed the three tier programme (The Way Ahead Programme) has caused a bottleneck, REALLY, so they want us to believe that no one saw this coming!!!!!!

It appears that I won't even make the list until the earliest June..... The timing could not be worse..... How I wish I could win the lottery....

[willow13 59]

Oh no, I am gutted for you. I take it there was more who completed the course than they thought. I know here they usually expect around 75% to drop out.

What will you do if your appointment does come in for June? Can you get someone to cover you with your business?

[sassypants 674]

Hmmm mine was pretty simple I had 1 group meeting at the hospital talking about all the surgery options food how it will be after etc
Then a few pre op appointments 1 with the shrink that’s all I needed they told me I had no issues I would need to work out so no need to book any more with them.
Did the health tests blood work discussed what surgery I wanted.
That was it waited for my date and done.