NHS Referral - What happens next ??

needthinningout · 01-30-2008, 07:04 PM

Hi there everyone.
I have been overweight since birth (36 years). As with most of us, I have tried every diet under the sun and been to a dietition (if that's how it's spelt). I've also had ionamine, phentermine and the NHS reductil and I currently weigh just over 20st. My BMI is 40.8 and after a long chat with my doctor the other week, she has referred me to Derby for a Gastric Band. She said that I would get a letter within 6 weeks and i'm now coming to the end of week 2.
I have looked up endless information on the internet and according to NICE, I am a candidate for the operation. I don't have diabeties or any major illness related to my weight, but I do have constant back and knee ache, sleep problems and the feeling i'm a crap mother to my 2 children cause I can't run around with them like they'd like and the thought of taking them swimming makes me feel sick to the bone.
I am fully aware that this operation is not a quick fix, but am sure it will help me lose weight and keep it off.
My question is - what happens now?? I'll get a letter soon, but what for and then what??
Can someone who has had the operation on the NHS and even better still at Derby, tell me what happened from the referral letter to the operation.
I now have my mind set on having this operation and want to be prepared for whatever comes my way.
Thanks
Fiona

Maincat · 01-31-2008, 12:18 PM

Hello Fiona,
I was banded on the NHS at Derby in November 2007. Mr Leeder at Derby and his team are excellent.
I had an appointment at Derby in March 2007. At that meeting, I saw the Lead Nurse and Dietician who went through the banding operation with me. I was to see the Surgeon, but he was unavailable at that time and he phoned me up later for a long chat about the op.
Following this, I was put on the waiting list (about 6 months). I had a pre-op assessment two weeks before the operation, at which I was put on a special pre-op diet in readiness for the op. I stayed in hospital for two nights, due to my using a CPAP machine. To date, it's been three months since my pre-op assessment (11 weeks since the op) and I've lost just over four stones. I have my first fill next week.
All in all, having the band is great!
Hope that helps, Regards, Steve

tracy321 · 02-05-2008, 12:09 PM

hello fiona

i asked my doc for this and he laughed at me iam 18 stone and 5.5 so bmi at 42 or so ...

i wonder what your doctor and you spoke about..

iam only 31 and a single mother to a wonderful kid whos father i was married to, when i spilt i went on reductil a year later and got into 20 clothes from a 24 but Lost no weight, i have a tredmil and try to excerise a lot , i feel after being big my whole life this is the only option... i have booked in with my doc (2 weeks wait grrrr) and am going to ask him again.. i would rather not get myself in debt , uni is already doing that lol

janice m r · 02-08-2008, 02:26 PM

you need to get you dr to give you a referal then the ball starts rolling

MAZZIE · 03-07-2008, 09:23 AM

Hi

I have been referred by my GP to Luton & Dunstable Hospital (a three hour journey) I have been for two appointments and have been told I next have to see a diatician and a psychologist and have to go on a Milk diet and then they will decide whether they will carry out an operation. Apparently I already have funding.

I was wondering if anybody else had been to Luton & Dustable and if so how long the whole procedure took. When I spoke to the Consultant he said about 7 to 8 months.

I then read about someone who had been to L & D 8 times had been all through the above and they told her they would not carry out the procedure as she was not diabetic and did not have a heart problem. I am just wondering whether I am wasting my time.

Mazzie

serenityyyy · 03-08-2008, 07:58 AM

i was referred by my gp in n0v 07 i had my app0intment thru and had c0nsultati0n 6/3/08 i am lucky i live in chichester where they are d0ne f0r this area, i was t0ld a gastric bypass w0uld be better f0r me and enitially agreed but after d0ing research i cant face such a maj0r 0p s0 sp0ke t0 clinic and am n0w having band , my funding has been appr0ved and in appr0x 4 mnths will be banded. if y0ur nhs y0u have t0 have funding appr0val bef0r y0ur seen in my area im lucky i have it but my bmi is 53 s0 im well ab0ve the critieria needed i saw a dietician and my c0nsultant wh0 was l0vely and very c0nfident they c0uld d0 w0nders f0r me iv als0 been lucky that they have d0ne a tv weekly d0cumentry ab0ut the clinic im using and i kn0w im in g00d hands g00d luck

emmasmithy · 04-07-2008, 04:55 PM

please help ive just been refered to derby hospital for the band, can you tell me what to expect from my consultation. Because my Dr. has refered medoes this automatically mean im having the op or do i have to wait and see what the hospital has to say? Also how long till i go for the consultation after being refered? thanks Em

serenityyyy · 04-07-2008, 05:33 PM

ring the h0spital clinic and ask they can usually tell y0u what the wait is like, i wasnt seen untill funding was appr0ved it t00k appr0x 4mnths t0 see dr and mine didnt say yes 0r n0 was just an aut0matic yes

Maincat · 04-08-2008, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmasmithy

please help ive just been refered to derby hospital for the band, can you tell me what to expect from my consultation. Because my Dr. has refered medoes this automatically mean im having the op or do i have to wait and see what the hospital has to say? Also how long till i go for the consultation after being refered? thanks Em

Please read my post above.
It does not automatically mean that you will have the operation. The consultant, Mr Leeder, will have the last say. You will have blood and other tests. I think I had a wait of about six weeks between referral and consultation.
Derby are very helpful indeed. If you do not see Mr Leeder at consultation, then he will phone you and talk through the operation.
PM me if you want more information.

emmasmithy · 04-10-2008, 12:00 PM

Thanks for your reply, ive never had a blood test!!

What type of tests will they do? Im currently bmi of 40.2 but have no side effects from being over weight ie heart probs as i am 24. The gp has been trying to help me loose weight since i was 14 with pills and referals to diet clinics and fitness classes. I am so desprite for this op and have considered going private but at £7,000 and and recent graduate from uni this is an impossable price to pay. What do you think my chances are for Mr leeder to offer me this op?
I am really happy that ive found someone who not only had this done on the nhs but had this at the same hospital with the same Dr!!
Hows things for you now?

Maincat · 04-10-2008, 01:19 PM

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.

sana · 04-13-2008, 04:50 PM

hi my name is sana and i have had my op at the derby general i had to wait 13 weeks for my letter once it came i was ask to go in and was asked about eating habits and the obesity nurse will go thru with she will check you weight blood pressure ask you your medical history then diatition who wil ask you what you eat what exercise you do then after that the dr will see you dr larvn at the royal in fermry then after that they will send you a letter saying exactly what you said and that are you a candidate or not once that is done they will send you a pre op letter were u will be assesed after that two weeks you will get a date for your operation which will be done at the city general in derby thats were ur pre op also be done as well as you operation i had mine ther realy nice dr operation will be done by mr leeder or member it was a good experiance i went the day of my surgery and stayed over night i have so far lost 11 kg since december 14 2007 i have had one fill and feel good n my self plz keep n touch im also just under 22 stones knw was nearly 24 stones my bmi was 55 i hope this will help a bit if not too much

emmasmithy · 04-15-2008, 10:18 AM

Thanks for all your replys they are really helpful and reassuring. Im so excited now and rush home to see if i have mail even though its only been 2 weeks since referal!!!
Can i just ask the lady who had the op in Dec did you go for your consult in sprig time in the same year too or was the waiting list alot longer?
I will keep all posted keep your fingers crosssed for me x

sana · 04-22-2008, 04:55 PM

i went in march for first consultation then had to wait another 13 weeks for my approvle. sorry about my spelling mistakes then another 6 for pre op and then another week for my op all in all 9 months for my operation

bellygobelly · 04-29-2008, 07:12 AM

hi all

I went to derby hospitial end of nov 07 and was told that the board of docs would dicide if i was suitiable for op..they told me its six months waiting time for op. never heard anything? my gp contacted them about 6 weeks ago.

then by shock /suprised i got a letter on thurs last week saying having the op on 30th may 2008 the day before my 5th wed anv....

I have to go on 7th may for my pre-op assment.

I have also been going to slimming club started the day before i went for my first hosp appt in nov and have lost 2 stone yah.. and thats not going back on anymore lol..

dont no whether this has helped?
Ann x