Hi

I have been looking at this site for quite some time. I had tried to get it done through the NHS and had an appointment booked they had kept changing appointments so the day before my appointment I telephoned them just to make sure the appointment was still on (the hospital is over 100 miles away). They then told me that there was a letter in the post to me that night telling me that the criteria had changed and they are not carrying out these procedures any more unless I was diabetic or had sleep aponea. I was furious as I could have gone all the way there and been told it was off.

I then decided to have it done privately and arranged an appointment at the Spire Hospital in Norwich (near my home). I then received a letter from the NHS saying they had changed their criteria again. So I have cancelled my private appointment and am going with the NHS I wish I could afford to go private but I must try the NHS as I don't really want to get into debt I know it will take a long time and I may still end up paying privately. I have my first appointment on 28th January so wish me luck. Has anybody any idea how long it will take from the first appointment on the NHS?

Sorry no advice as I live in the US now but still wanted to wish you all the luck.

Hi

I have been looking at this site for quite some time. I had tried to get it done through the NHS and had an appointment booked they had kept changing appointments so the day before my appointment I telephoned them just to make sure the appointment was still on (the hospital is over 100 miles away). They then told me that there was a letter in the post to me that night telling me that the criteria had changed and they are not carrying out these procedures any more unless I was diabetic or had sleep aponea. I was furious as I could have gone all the way there and been told it was off.

I then decided to have it done privately and arranged an appointment at the Spire Hospital in Norwich (near my home). I then received a letter from the NHS saying they had changed their criteria again. So I have cancelled my private appointment and am going with the NHS I wish I could afford to go private but I must try the NHS as I don't really want to get into debt I know it will take a long time and I may still end up paying privately. I have my first appointment on 28th January so wish me luck. Has anybody any idea how long it will take from the first appointment on the NHS?

hi mazzie, im in the uk too i was nhs banded in 2005, it all depends on where you live to how long you have to wait, the average time from meeting the surgeon is approx 6 months, its awfull that you have been messed around by the nhs ! but its all well worth the wait in the end.

good luck

Liz xxx

Hey dorry to hear youve been messed about, hope ya get an appointment soon

I decided to go private as i dont have a really really high bmi im young and my gp hadnt a clue about banding

Waited a week for my consoltation (with healthier weight) went yesday and they were amazing!

I can either book in for the op pretty much this month or wait till febuary time and have it in Italy (lot cheaper)

They really were amazing and im glad im going private, only thing is sorting out paying for it

Good luck xXx

Thanks for your replies I have my first appointment with NHS on 29th Jan and then see Consultant on 9th Feb so hopefully things will get moving.

I got a letter yesterday saying the trust has authorized my funding and have referred me on to a specialist. Can they after this letter still change their minds or am I definitely on for the surgery. I have had the dietitian and weight loss pills through the GP but because of a back condition nothing worked and my GP re applied to the NHS trust for the funding. Fingers crossed I will not be messed around, they do not understand the psychological problems some of us have and messing people around only adds to the pain and lack of self esteem some of us suffer from.

Hi Daisey

I am glad you have got your appointment I am like you and don't really know whether they can refuse to do it or not. I have my first appointment for blood tests etc. on 28th January and have another appointment to see the Consultant on the 19th February. I suppose after that I may have more of an idea of what might happen. I don't know how long the waiting list is - I am having to go to the Luton & Dunstable Hospital it is about 100 miles from where I live.

Mazzie

I saw my doctor 3rd week in July and he gave me a form and password to organise my appointment at Gloucester Hospital over the internet. I went straight home and booked a convenient appointment on 14 August. I saw the surgeon and he explained that my PCT, (Herefordshire) assess each case individually so he would have to write to them and get approval. I meet the NICE criteria so he didn't think it would be a problem. He said it usually takes 3 months for them to decide, which was the case and they approved me at the end of November. I then saw my surgeon again on 11 December and he told me the wait for surgery on his list was 8 weeks. I chose to have the operation later as March suits me better for work etc. My entire wait from initial visit to the GP to op will be 8 months, but could have been 7. I didn't feel this was too bad for a free op.

Debbie

I spoke to the hospital today and for our trust is works like this...here you have to have the funding in place to even get to see the specialist so the GP does the run up to funding work and then the specialist does the rest. I was told that from the date of my funding I have to wait 3 months for the appointment to see the specialist so that will be March and then after that the list is about 5 months for surgery. So I am looking at 8 months for it all to be done. I was a little disappointed but im a very lucky to get it, my BMI is 43 which in their eyes is not too high compared with some cases. I kept saying over x mas this is my last one fat but it looks like it will be the next one but nothing can wipe the smile off my face now

:whoo:

I have now had two appointments at Luton & Dunstable hospital. One for blood tests etc and the next time to see the Consultant which was on the 19th February. He said it would be about 8 months until the operation, which would be about August/September. Apparently I have funding I think the next step is to see the Dietician and then the Psychologist and I have to go on a milk diet. After that they have a meeting and see whether they are willing to do it. I don't know what I will do if they refuse. I am just waiting for the next appointment. I am just hoping it will be my last fat summer!!!

Mazzie

I have just heard from the hospital with my third appointment but it is not until 17th July, it seems a long way off but I suppose it will go fairly quickly.

I have to see the Bariatric Nurse and the Dietician on that day, I think I will probably then have to go on to the milk diet. I suppose it is a further step in the right direction. I seem to be living from one appointment to another at the moment.

Mazzie