NHS Referral - What happens next ??

[nataflee 0]

Hi steve, that's really helpful thank you, at least now i've got an idea of the things to come, as i had no idea what to expect.

Congratulations on your weight loss, i've looked at the pics, that is amazing you must be so pround of yourself.

Thanx for the advice

Natalie

[nataflee 0]

Hi whoosh, that's great thankyou, i'm hoping she can get me in at derby as i have heard loads of good reports about them. Initially she said she would reffer me to solihull and i mentioned derby to her as i'd heard they do loads there and she said well she's never dealt with derby but she will look into it, if not it will be solihull.

Yep that's deffo the 1st hurdle over, just hope the rest are the same, hope you get your appt this week and good luck with your assesment

Thanx

Natalie

[Maincat 14]

Hi steve, that's really helpful thank you, at least now i've got an idea of the things to come, as i had no idea what to expect.

Congratulations on your weight loss, i've looked at the pics, that is amazing you must be so pround of yourself.

Thanx for the advice

Natalie

Glad to help Natalie.

My weight loss is something I'm proud of and I'm sure that yours will be too. Don't forget that the band is just a tool, not the answer in itself. I've made good changes to my life style which have really helped.

Hope all goes well for you.

[emmasmithy 0]

Hi,

I have a document called 'Service Specification For the provision of Obesity Surgery at Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust', that is available on the Internet. It is dated September 2004. To quote from it:

This service specification has been agreed between Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and TrentCOM, representing PCTs in Southern Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire (exc. Bassetlaw PCT) and Lincolnshire and relates to the provision of obesity surgery.

NICE issued guidance in July 2002 on the appropriate use of surgery for morbid obesity. In accordance with the NICE guidance surgery will be funded for people with morbid obesity only where all the following criteria are met.

• People with a body mass index (BMI) either equal to or greater than 40kg/m², or between 35kg/m² and 40kg/m² in the presence of significant co-morbid conditions that could be improved by weight loss.

• People who have been receiving intensive management in a specialised hospital obesity clinic.

• Aged 18 or over.

• Can provide evidence that all appropriate and available non-surgical measures have been adequately tried but have failed to maintain weight loss.

• Surgery should be undertaken only after comprehensive, multi-disciplinary assessment.

• No specific clinical or psychological contraindication to the surgery, with pre-operative counselling a pre-requisite.

• Individuals should be fit for anaesthesia and surgery.

• Individuals should understand the need for long-term follow-up, including post-operative counselling and support.

That will give you an idea as to the criteria for an NHS funded operation (assuming they are still working to that list). By the sounds of it, you have a background of attempted weightloss under supervision. I would be optimistic of getting the operation via the NHS, but only your consultation with Mr Leeder will help confirm that.

The tests are nothing at all to worry about. A simple blood test and blood pressure measurement is done at pre-op (mine was two weeks before my operation), neither of which hurt or are anything to be scared of. The initial consultation involved no tests, but rather an explanation of the operation and how it works.

I'm doing fine at the moment with the weight loss. I've lost 82 pound, at the moment losing at around two pounds a week on average, which is great.

Sorry for the long post, but I hope you find it useful. You can always give Derby a ring and ask any questions you may have - they are very helpful.

Take care and keep in touch.

Hi there everybody really happy at mo a ive jut been sent home after having my lap band fitted at derby city hopital!!!

thanks to everybody for your advie and help ive already dropped from 19stone to 16!!!!!

op hurt more than i expected but the hopital staff were excellent!!

happy new year to all!!!

[Maincat 14]

Hi there everybody really happy at mo a ive jut been sent home after having my lap band fitted at derby city hopital!!!

thanks to everybody for your advie and help ive already dropped from 19stone to 16!!!!!

op hurt more than i expected but the hopital staff were excellent!!

happy new year to all!!!

That's great - well done on your weight loss so far. The soreness will soon go and then you have a great 2009 to look forward to.

Take lots of pictures of your weight loss. If you're like me, you won't believe the changes your body and figure go through over time.

Have a happy and healthy new year.

[emmasmithy 0]

well thats good to know!! getting out of bed is difficulit and breathing deeply really hurts!!!!

any advice on what to eat whilst on this 4 week liquid diet? ?? im already sick of Soup and its only week 1!!! Im vegi so food is limited....ca u have jelly?

could you eat a lot before your fill? and when did you have your 1st fill?? does it hurt??

thank for your help it really is great to chat to someone who has had a lot of success xx

[Maincat 14]

well thats good to know!! getting out of bed is difficulit and breathing deeply really hurts!!!!

any advice on what to eat whilst on this 4 week liquid diet??? im already sick of Soup and its only week 1!!! Im vegi so food is limited....ca u have jelly?

could you eat a lot before your fill? and when did you have your 1st fill?? does it hurt??

thank for your help it really is great to chat to someone who has had a lot of success xx

I ate Soups for the four weeks. If you vary them, and make home made ones, they can be interesting even after four weeks. I didn't have jelly, but I guess you can have it.

Before my fill I could eat alot if that was my choice, but it wasn't. You don't have to wait for the fill to get a grip on Portion Control. You will soon begin to feel the benefits of portion control. The fill itself didn't hurt me at all. It's just an injection into the port and if you have someone experienced and skillful doing it, it's a breeze.

[debbie_7155 0]

Hi im Debbie from Lincoln/UK..im having surgery at Derby on 21st jan..2 weeks on wednesday..ive made a pretty good start already on my pre op diet,The solid food one.. want give it all i can before the big day..i called the dietition cos i dont drink tea or coffee & she said i could have bovril..(think i'll stick to Water & squash)

what is it like at Derby hospital ?

[sassy37 0]

well thats good to know!! getting out of bed is difficulit and breathing deeply really hurts!!!!

any advice on what to eat whilst on this 4 week liquid diet??? im already sick of Soup and its only week 1!!! Im vegi so food is limited....ca u have jelly?

could you eat a lot before your fill? and when did you have your 1st fill?? does it hurt??

thank for your help it really is great to chat to someone who has had a lot of success xx

For my 4 week liquid diet apart from Soups : I watered down low fat no bit yoghurts , Water down slim fast .

I wouldnt do jelly as yet , go with smooth low fat yoghurt and dilute with milk or Water .

Best wishes x

[emmasmithy 0]

Hi im Debbie from Lincoln/UK..im having surgery at Derby on 21st jan..2 weeks on wednesday..ive made a pretty good start already on my pre op diet,The solid food one.. want give it all i can before the big day..i called the dietition cos i dont drink tea or coffee & she said i could have bovril..(think i'll stick to Water & squash)

what is it like at Derby hospital ?

Hi there debbie, as you would have already read i had my op at derby on the 27th dec just over 3 weeks ago now! I cant speak highly enough of the team there, they are excellent, all the nurses and staff were so kind and helpful! the op its self went relly well as i too stuck to the pre op diet even on xmas day!!! this reulted in me being at my lowest wieght and making me under the bmi that requires a band.. this worried me but my dr was so pleased with me and comended my commitment which was really nice. The day after sugery i was let home but to be honest i would have liked to stay another night as i wa rather sore.. much more than expected. This goes away within a week and the wieght dropping off makes you forget about the pain!!

if your on ward 311 i may see you as my nan i going to be there also on that date!!

Good luck if you need/want anymore info im glad to help, it eems like a dream to me that this has happened, it comes round so fast!!!

Em x

[manalrajab87 0]

Im 22, my bmi is 44, i been overweight since i was a child, i tired every diet you name it, herbal diet pills, my gp have gave me different types of diet pills, nothing seem to work with me. i was on liquid diet with lighterlife in 2005 and managed to loss 10kg in 3 weeks thats 22pounds which was amazing for me to loss that much. since then my weight started going up and down light a yow-yow.

In December 08, i have asked my Gp in london, what she thought of me having lapband, i told her i was going to middle east in Syria to get it done there because i can't offord to do it in private in UK.. She offered me to do it in NHS and reffered to the hosptial, i had my appointment to see the doctor in feb 09, since then i had to see the dietitian, and have my sleep study and finally see the psychologist.

The psychologist needs to get to the bottom of the reason why you over eat!!! and that you are in a stable mental condition to deal with life post operation. ( BE HONEST WITH THEM AND MAKE SURE YOU DONT MENTION THAT YOU HAD HARMED YOURSELF FOR NOT LOSSING WEIGHT IN THE PAST).

On the 08 of July 09, I was finally approved for the lapband. I sow my surgeon and he then gaved me my operation date on the 11 of august 09.

Im scared but at the same time im so happy to get though on NHS.

Tips, Most important part is to have a good history record on the Gp system, such as pain on the legs of been over weight, and get your gp to give you diet pills such as reductil, xencal, Acomplia, metformin and sends you to dietition. ( if your gp don't mention these diet pills to you, you mention it to your doctor). I asked for reductil and xencal and acomplia but at the end after not lossing much weight she recommended metformin. I didn't loss much and i got fid up with pills.

If you don't loss weight, she can refer you to get lapband without refusing. I dont have health problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure. but I do admit I have PCOS- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome , which is the main problem for not lossing weight.

I hope this information is helpful.

Goodluck with your journey.

Manal Rajab

[sabina f 0]

Hi, I am just under 2 weeks away from my first consultation at St Thomas's in London for a gastric band on the Nhs. Has anyone had it done here and what I should expect at my first vist? I am realy nervous and it would help if i knew what to expect.

[xxladykxx 0]

Hi There my doctor has just refered me to Chicister and she say next I will get paper work to fill in. PLease could you advise me what happens what's the paper work? and then what happens?