Can you get a tummy tuck on the NHS?

[ducdo]

I know the answer is no if its just for cosmetic reasons but if you have a really awful hanging tummy that will not shift after 3 babies and is really causing emotional problems for you, lack of confidence in yourself plus with your partner, then is it possible to have the op on the NHS if you see your doctor?

[akhemsProjectilePeaSoup]

yes you can sometimes. If it is sore, gets a rash etc.. make sure you document everything and visit your gp with it frequently, take photos, ask for creams etc to treat it, as you will probably have to fight with your pct to get it.

[RGPargy]

It is possible, yes, depending on how much funding they have left etc. I had one on the NHS and it was a bit of a struggle to get it, but thankfully they gave me the operation in the end. That was 14 years ago now so i dont know how much things have changed since then. Good luck!

[ducdo]

thanks rgpargy you lucky thing, I am really feeling so awful about my stomach and no exercise will shift the awful saggy skin that is hanging and its really getting me down. is there anything I should say or do to strengthen my case for the gp to recommend one for me or is it just down to their funding?

[RGPargy]

I totally sympathise with you. It gets you down, doesn't it?!

All i would say would be to go there and really really lay it on thick about how much it gets to you - tears are helpful too. I know you are obviously very down about it anyway, but if you're anything like me you will "try to be brave" in front of the doc/consultant. DONT! If they dont think you are affected enough about it you wont get anywhere. These are all tips that my GP told me before i met the consultant so it's deffo worth taking note! Basically, lay it on really thick about how much it affects your every day life, sex life, confidence, etc.

HTH

[ducdo]

appt booked for tomorrow to see my GP so see what happens.. rgpargy, are you glad you went ahead with it? no regrets?

[PerkinWarbeck]

my old boss had a tummy tuck on the NHS. He also had his man-boobs reduced. However, he had lots of problems with the healing of the tummy tuck, and scarring, and said that whilst he would recommend the breast reduction to anyone, he would not recommend the tummy tuc at all.

[ducdo]

I know its a major op which does scare me but my tummy is really making me feel so awful and I'm only 33 and dont' want to be hiding myself away for the rest of my life because I am so conscious of my tummy. its stopping me from doing so much so I figure its the only option..

[RGPargy]

I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever. I'm 100% glad i went ahead with it. Go for it!

[ducdo]

rgpargy - did they move your belly button too?

[RGPargy]

Yep! They made a new hole for it!

[rach345]

thats what i need to find out, if i can get a tummy tuck and other bits put back where they are supposed to be. I have lost over 8st 7lbs so far. have an appointment next mth to see the doctor about it. so hopefully.. fingers crossed.

[ducdo]

wow that is brilliant, well done you..

[stitch]

yes.
apparently i would qualify for an nhs tummy tuck. my sister is a surgeon who would be the decision maker, and she says i would. after lots of poking and prodding at awful baggy folds of skin, she says she would do it under the nhs. (however, as she works in different part of the country, it was more of a sisterly chat, than a consultation, iyswim)
but she is completely and utterly against the idea. says the risks of infection are too high to be acceptable in her opinion. she says that unless you make your living from your looks, then it is safer to find other, no surgical solutions, like covering up. wearing control knickers etc.

[stitch]

sorry, i disagree with the laying on thick act.
dsis says that as a team, the surgeons are not stupid. they are well aware that people have been primed to act all upset. she says that a professional would never ever agree to one, if it wasnt appropriate. no matter how many tears were shed.
fwiw. i was laughing with her when she checked out my belly folds, and she still thought i would qualify

[RGPargy]

well, as i said, it was 14 years ago and that's what i was told to do by my doctor!

[stitch]

rg, absolutely.
i am just repeating dsis observations. according to her, if there really is a real need, then it is obvious

[ducdo]

well, I had the appointment with my GP who was very understanding and yes I did cry, but genuine tears and didn't have to make things worse than they already are. After listening to me talking about how I was feeling and having a look at my tummy, she disappared off to another consultants room and after a few minutes returned to say there was nothing they could do for me - the NHS are not able to help with what is considered a cosmetic procedure. To say I was disappointed is a huge understatement. No where to go from here apart from save up to pay myself.. which will be years. Very sad about the whole thing..
Plus saw a young girl have the procedure on Channel 4s Embarrassing Bodies Teenage Years in the week - and feel even more so thats its the only option...

[Dabblesinpumpkinmaking]

rach345 - how are u losing weight? well doen btw!

[Amandoh]

Ducdo ~ I'm sorry to read that your GP doesn't feel you qualify for a tummy tuck on the NHS.

I had a tummy tuck last year and it has made such a difference to my life. After losing five and a half stone very quickly and having 3 children my tummy was in an awful state. Shopping was a nightmare as all tops had to be long enough to cover my "jelly fold" and I couldn't wear dresses. I really hated going out.

If it's getting you down then go back to your GP and see if they can recommend a few local surgeons to you. Some of the clinics may offer finance. Also, depending on how bad your tummy is the op may not be as expensive as you think.

[ducdo]

Amandoh, thanks for your message. Did you get your op done privately then? I emailed a couple of places at the weekend asking them to send me details / prices etc. and I guess I should book an appointment to have a consultation to see exactly what they would do and get a better idea of the cost, then I can work out how much I need.

[Amandoh]

Ducdo ~ Yes, I had my tummy tuck done privately. Your first port of call really ought to be your own GP when trying to find a local surgeon and not the ads in the back of the glossies. I know the clinics say they've been in business for 20 or more years but the surgeons working for them come and go.

When I had my operation (Operations really as I had a breast reduction too) my Surgeon regularly wrote to my GP. My point here is that your GP will know who is worth recommending due to feedback from his patients who have had private surgery.

Will you keep us updated?

[ducdo]

thanks Amandoh, you're so right, there are so many adverts and companies around I wouldn't know where to start. I will book an appt with my GP this week and see what information they can provide. Would feel much happier being recommended so will let you know how I get on..

[MUM23ASD]

ducdo.... i'm 41 and know how you feel.

My youngest is 9 and i have spent the past 9 years trying to pull in my tummy constantly- to stop people asking if i am pregnant.

i need to lose weight- but having done so before- and the 'jelly belly' looking worse then- i am scared to lose wieight.

my BMI is 32.

I saw the 'embarressing bodies' girl too...and that peogramme inspired me to see GP.... but unlike you- have not been brave yet.

It effects my life. I cannot let DH touch/see it- unless i'm disgustedly prodding it to demostarte to someone how hideous i look- NOONE sees it!

It does not feel part of my body... it is a cold clammy blob- "i" "could" "take" "a" "knife" "and" "slice" "it" "off"

I can fit into size 14 jeans- which i am happy about- untill i try to pull them around my tummy- which measures 44".... so i have to wear size 18/20.....and tops are a nightmare- they either make me look worse (pregnant) or are so big to cover my tum that they fall off my shoulders/twist across my flat boobs...

that girl on C4 really summed it up well...when asked about the scar- she said she's rather be scarred than have that tummy.

i wondered about drawing (as the surgeons do) with a permanent marker- what bits i want chopped off?!

last month i even scalded my tummy as it gets in the way- as i don't feel it- itgot too close to kettle.

[ducdo]

MUM23ASD ... sorry to hear you are feeling so low aswell.. seems we're not the only ones out there.
I agree with the statement you mentioned that the girl on Ch4 said about rather having the scar, definitely the same for me. I went on the website and there was a link for the surgeon she used - Alex Karidis based in London. I contacted their offices and they charge £75 consultation fee (which he donates to hospital) and a tummy tuck with him is around £7,200 .. so much money, I wonder where the 19 yr old on TV got that kind of cash from and wonder if as she was part of the programme whether Channel 4 paid for it? if so how lucky!? Be just my luck to bump into a doctor on the street filming for such a programme!
Don't be scared to loose the weight, if it's what you really want and you are not happy at the size you are now, then you really must do something about it. Try to pluck up the courage to speak with your GP, they should be able to provide you with some help to healthy eating or exercise plans? I was a right mess with the GP last week, crying like a baby but at the end of the day, that's what they're there for .. to listen to us and help with our problems. I found it easier talking to my female GP that I could family/friends as I am too embarrassed about my problem and I don't really care what she thinks of me but I do care what my family and friends think.
Hope you decide to make the appointment ... Take care

[MUM23ASD]

Thanks Ducdo- Before i found your thread i had started my own thread HERE

Someone has posted a belgium Dr with loads of great 'before/after' photoes- and there's even a mnetter who's had a TummyTuck done.

If someone offered to do my tummy- in exchange for the right to screen the op and recovery in mega wide screen Hi Definition etc...to a worldwide LIVE audience...Big Brother style...I'd scream YES !!!!

(Any TV producers out there??? There's a great ide for a show!!!! lots of 'ugly ducklings' being turned into swans....mind you - i think there are shows like it already!!!!

It's quite sad how i would be funded to pay for this IF i lose the weight.... is that 5 yrs ago my husband sufered an accident at work- and last year recieved a payout (NO WIN NO FEE) and he promised me that he'd contribute £5000 towards a tummy tuck.....and then within weeks of him getting his payout- his dad died. That really changed our family life- and now 10 months later- his mum has terminal cancer- and DH has promised me that once she has stopped suffering, he will put the money i need into a savings account- that does not have instant access- and requires both our signatures....as i cannot trust i'd not spend it!!!!

so when he started talking about the tummy tuck (after he saw that tv show) i was shocked- as i didn't really believe he really understood how repulsed i am about my body....then to hear that 19yr old talking exactly as i have done for years- he suddenly realised how i felt.

on that show, the doc asked her if she thought about her tummy every day.... and that made me cry....as its not so much 'every day' its everytime i move, catch a glimpse of my reflection, knock into something with my 'not-part-of-my-body-tummy'.... or IF i go out ( i avoid anyone seeing me) someone only has to simply appear to glance at my tummy and i am sure they are making judgements.

I had to have my gallbladder out last year- and apologised to the surgeon that he had to operate on my body. Can you believe he actually had to INFLATE my abdomen with carbon dioxide to do the OP...god knows what i looked like inflated!!!

I have not had a smear test done for 11 years- I cannot bear to be looked at- it's not the gyno bit- its the stomach flopping either side.

So i have decided, when i next have to see docator (for antidepressants in 2 months) i am going to request she do a smear test- AND examine my tummy.

so thanks to this thread of yours, i feel strong enough to get that smear done.