I went today to see the surgeon but because my BMI is 39.6 My GP has to apply to the PCT for funding. I have high BP but because im not on tablets they cant count that.

there is alot of diabetes in family I am NOT diabetic, dad and uncle both died at 55 both had diabetes.

I had to drive for over 1 hour and 20 mins to the hospital, then he said he will get me in to see his dietician today. reception said dietician was busy and to make an appointment. i said im not driving 50 miles to see a dietician when i have seen loads. dietician is supposley gonna call me.

ive made an appoiintment with gp on friday for a chat......

so what do you think my chances are of getting a band on the nhs, whats my next move.

Good Luck with the NHS!!! Most PCT's will only operate on BMI 50+. My BMI is (or was) 43, my dad died at 51 of heart disease and it runs in his family and cancer runs in my mums said, I was advised by the Endocoronologist to gain 2stone to be able to go on the NHS waiting list!!!! I have since gone private as mentally I couldn't deal with gaining an extra 2 stone...I do have to say, so far it's best disicion I've ever made and best £5000 I've ever spent!

I went today to see the surgeon but because my BMI is 39.6 My GP has to apply to the PCT for funding. I have high BP but because im not on tablets they cant count that.

there is alot of diabetes in family I am NOT diabetic, dad and uncle both died at 55 both had diabetes.

I had to drive for over 1 hour and 20 mins to the hospital, then he said he will get me in to see his dietician today. reception said dietician was busy and to make an appointment. i said im not driving 50 miles to see a dietician when i have seen loads. dietician is supposley gonna call me.

ive made an appoiintment with gp on friday for a chat......

so what do you think my chances are of getting a band on the nhs, whats my next move.

Why aren't you on medication for high blood pressure? Next move = wait for phone call from the dietician. May happen tomorrow. As for chances of getting the operation on the NHS, I'd say they were good if your GP can show that you have made the efforts to lose the weight. Get your GP to consider writing to Derby PCT and see what they say.

What you don't do is give up. Stay positive, even during difficult times.

Most PCT's will only operate on BMI 50+.

Can you prove that? Have you done a survey of the PCTs that offer lapband surgery and you can back that up with hard facts, or is it just your opinion?

thanks main im booked in with my gp on friday im gonna go and cry !!

Main,

I did say MOST, not all, all Yorkshire and Humberside are 50+, and thats from me trying to get banded by the NHS. I was also told by the PCT that alot round Bristol area are 50 too. I wanted to be banded so I wasn't going to get statistics!!!....I'd have sooner have saved £5000 by NOT going private

Main,

I did say MOST, not all, all Yorkshire and Humberside are 50+, and thats from me trying to get banded by the NHS. I was also told by the PCT that alot round Bristol area are 50 too. I wanted to be banded so I wasn't going to get statistics!!!....I'd have sooner have saved £5000 by NOT going private

Then the 50+ rule/guidance is a disgrace. I was 41.2 and got banded without any problem whatsoever. I'm sick to death of this lottery - and I've benefited from it - it's supposed to be a National Health Service, not a regional one. At BMI 50, you are 20 points into obese, your life must be hell. Don't they see that?

If I'm being really basic, think how much the hospitals could make from doing the lapband operation and charging other PCTs, as mine was funded. How much they would save in terms of diabetic, heart and other problems. It really gets me steamed up!

Letter to the MP (for all the good that would do).

It is shocking, especially as NHS guidlines state a BMI of 40+!!! and then the hospital recommended me to gain more weight to increase my BMI to 50!! it was a gain of over 2 stone, I am fortunate that I have low blood pressure and low colestorol, but heart disease is in my family so I wanted to take control while I still can!! But it is definately the Postcode Lottery!!

Hi there, I am waiting to see if I can go forward with surgery on the NHS to, although my BMI is now at 47, they take different medical conditions into consideration, as for myself I am not diabetic or on medication for high blood pressure, but I have chronic back and leg pain because of my weight and I dont sleep properly due to a sleeping disorder. Think about all the conditions you suffer from and ask your gp if there can write a detailed letter to the surgeons office explaining this (in other workds, lay it on thick), good luck sweetie xxx

i go see my doc tomorrow see if he can put a case forward to the pct, thety mert on the 28th October, so if he pulls hissocks up i may get a answer soon........

I so hope they do it.

I need it..

I So love my GP

He said referring me to the pct will do nothing they always squirm out of these things.

So he did my BP again it was 136/195 gave me tablets and he is referring me to a different hospital and giving me some tests so hopefully i should get it done this time.

IM SO HAPPY !!

Hmmm, I would say your chances are very slight. It would seem that NHS policy is to wait until patients have bmi 50+, diabetes, emphysema, vasculitis, heart disease, thrombosis etc ad infinitum before even considering funding for surgery. In the meantime, you become a tick on a list that shows they are at least making the right noises about the needs for surgery.

If you can afford to go privately, contact Mr John Rogers at www.gordcentre.org. I had surgery exactly 1 year ago and I've lost 5 stones so far.

Good luck, don't be downhearted.

x

Hmmm, I would say your chances are very slight. It would seem that NHS policy is to wait until patients have bmi 50+, diabetes, emphysema, vasculitis, heart disease, thrombosis etc ad infinitum before even considering funding for surgery.

Not everywhere. Derby PCT don't operate that way. It looks as if some do though, and that's a disgrace. Operating at BMI 50+ is more dangerous, so why do they not follow the guidelines?

That'll be money and league tables won't it?