I'm so relieved! I had been really nervous about telling my GP about having the surgery abroad, because I've heard a lot can be quite unsupportive of the idea of going for surgery abroad. My doc was fine with it, will help me with any potential reflux medicine and are willing to do blood tests later. I didn't realise how much this was worrying me until I put the phone down and I feel so much better now.

This is great news. Congratulations!

So glad you had that experience. Mine refused so I had to find one who would supervise me.

I was lucky in this regard too. My PCP ("preferred care provider" is what we call them in the US) was very supportive about me travelling to Mexico for my surgery. In fact, I have another appointment with her on Feb. 29 for my 18 month follow-up and blood work!

So glad you had that experience. Mine refused so I had to find one who would supervise me.

I was really worried that would happen to me. I've heard a lot of stories about GPs refusing, but it seems my doctor had a couple of patients go through the NHS and one (a long time ago) go privately, so it's not entirely new. She said as long as the hospital let her know precisely what they want her to check for in the blood tests etc she's got no problem doing them.

I have had one negative comment from GPs at my surgery. Before I waddled off to Belgium to have surgery I informed one of the GPs who knows me well of what I was about to do. He suggested that instead of surgery I try 'portion control'. I was tempted to point out to him that it was my idea of 'portion control' that had got me to the point of needing surgery to control my weight! Last week I saw my own GP who was great and just asked me how I had gone about the whole thing. He was really pleased for me. As I had the op done abroad I had my stitches taken out at my surgery by the practice nurse. She is all for bariatric surgery-her husband is a bariatric consultant!! I am going to cost the NHS less money in the future as I am not going to have all the co-morbidities of being overweight dealt with, and paid for, by them. Surely, WLS makes economic sense and shouldn't be seen by the NHS as a last ditch attempt to solve an individual's obesity problem?

You're preaching to the choir here, and yet...

I have had one negative comment from GPs at my surgery. Before I waddled off to Belgium to have surgery I informed one of the GPs who knows me well of what I was about to do. He suggested that instead of surgery I try 'portion control'. I was tempted to point out to him that it was my idea of 'portion control' that had got me to the point of needing surgery to control my weight! Last week I saw my own GP who was great and just asked me how I had gone about the whole thing. He was really pleased for me. As I had the op done abroad I had my stitches taken out at my surgery by the practice nurse. She is all for bariatric surgery-her husband is a bariatric consultant!! I am going to cost the NHS less money in the future as I am not going to have all the co-morbidities of being overweight dealt with, and paid for, by them. Surely, WLS makes economic sense and shouldn't be seen by the NHS as a last ditch attempt to solve an individual's obesity problem?

I've watched the BBC Fat Doctors and they talk a lot about how it costs the NHS much less over the life of a patient to provide WLS versus all the long-term care they would need for obesity-related diseases and medications.

I went to see my GP on Friday regarding my surgery later this month and she was fab. I asked her if she would do my DVT injections (the thought of doing it myself freaks me out) and she said I have to go and see her the the day I get back and she'll sort out for the District Nurses to come to me and to let her know if I need an other support. She's said she used to live in Prague so has no reservations about me having my surgery there.