Obese... Sick of it... What help can the NHS provide

[Platypusdr]

I am severly obese. My BMI is 44 and I am pre diabetic. I asked my GP for support and they directed me to their 'wellness coach' who I found not that helpful. The main thing he told me is to use the portion plate and to eat a olate of vegetables /salad first and then go to eat the rest. I found this quite helpful. But things are not moving down (In 2 months I have lost 2 kgs).

However I feel like the meetings arent dealing with the underlying reason as to why I eat. The last meeting was a disaster (me crying all over the appointment around pumpkin and whether it should be a carb or a veg... As he said I should limit it but couldn't really give me the reasons why and where it should be in the 50% veg, 25%carb 25%protein portion plate and seemed to say it is veg out carb and couldn't decide which made it so confusing and so many other things). I then mentioned that I feel the meetings are nice enough but the main message is limit food, but not really dealing with the underlying issues as to why I eat, which I feel is not sustainable.

Anyways... I want to know if there is anything else that I can ask for help from from the NHS, or is this it? I would like to go to the next meeting prepared and know exactly what I can ask for as I know that this would be helpful.

I’m afraid the NHS is not good for this, in my opinion. I think you will need to take matters into your own hands.
What have you tried before?
things that don’t cost much are:
self help books eg brain over binge, Christopher Fairburn
Keto/low carb
calorie counting
walking, working up to jogging

things that cost:
specialist therapy
clubs like weight watchers / slimming world (don’t bother)
VLCD like Cambridge (don’t bother)
injections
private surgery

Thanks the wellbring coach suggeated slimpod, but I did the 10 day trial and I am not finding it that helpful, especially because the wellbeing coach said it was treated with the nhs and nhs recommended, but this seems to be that they did studied with nhs sataff rather than actually with patiebts and no peer reviewed research was done.

I have lost and put on weight a number of times. My fitness pal and recording everything seemed to work but it only works for a while and then it is not sustainavle long term and doesnt deal with underlying issues/why we eat.

NHS isn't much good IMHO. Unless you can get the weight loss jabs. Is that a path you want to go down.

Low carb has worked before and I am trying that this time as I am very much a high carb eater.i do on average 9 to 11 thousand steps a day, but can obviously walk more.

At this point I am willing to try anything. I am worried I will leave my child without a mum as I die early

It's the food noise that's the problem. There may well be an underlying reason why but whatever the reason, it amplifies the food noise.

You need to switch the food noise off.

Ask for infections. I keep hearing really good things about them.

Injections not infections

Why do you think you have gained weight?
Emotional / disordered eating - counselling
Menstrual issues - refer all to ob gun
Sedentary & poor diet - up the movement and veggies
Poor nutrition / meal prep education - nutritionist & cooking classes
Medication - GP for medication review

Injections will help with the weight but not the underlying cause and have some pretty rough potential side effects

@HPandthelastwish i really think it is emotional eating. I cook mostly from scratch, can move more but not too bad but even with going to the gym regularly it never really helped. Don't know enough about menstrual issues to say. No medication. That list is really helpful. Thanks

Can you afford to pay for the injections yourself? If you can, go for it, it's a game changer for many people.

OP you want to do something about it. A great start. Have a look at the videos on this link and buy the book. This really does work.

https://youtube.com/@petronellathehumanbeingdiet?feature=shared

You should consider injections. I’ve gone from BMI 36 to 28 in 6 months

Also, injections often work out cheaper than buying food/lunch out/dinner out/takeawsys/ready meals /snacks etc.

@ColourByNumbers88 part of the challenge is that I have been wanting to do something about it for over 20 years but nothing sticks/works. I just lose a bit then pile more on. I am really worried but have no clue how to stop this.

Have you tried calorie counting, do you exercise, do you think there are underlying issues why you overeat that therapy might address with you. You could ask if there is a dietician you could see, are there any healthy eating or slimming groups in your area. Some GP practices offer talks on diet, healthy eating, exercise, diabetes, there are also leaflets available from the British heart foundation which might interest you. Do you keep a food diary and monitor your food intake.

A kg a month is not to be sniffed at.

Tell your GP that you've tried everything and want to be referred for weight loss surgery xx

have you tried the weight loss injections?

I would strongly suggest you try them. I take mount Jaro and it is like a miracle drug. Just start at a low dose and see how you feel.

I honestly think that if people themselves haven’t struggled with obesity they just don’t understand what it is like.

I haven't tried the wli yet. Great to great from those that have used them. I worry about whether this would help long term or whether it is just anither cycle.

If it's emotional eating then why? Boredom?

Going to the gym is great for taking up time plus releases endorphins even if you dont see the scales move.
Sit and read in he evening rather than watch TV or learn to crochet or knit, it's much harder to munch whilst you do it eve if you are sedentary.

I'm terrible a eating what's in the house so I just cant buy it.

Whilst you can't put exercise a poor diet, doing exercise, even a walk around the block will make you feel better so less likely to eat.

If low Carn has worked in the past you would probably do well to pay attention to blood sugar / glucose type eating plans.

Glucose goddess is probably the most accessible. Intermittent fasting is very helpful at increasing insulin sensitivity.

The general message will be to limit carbs from grains and fruit, up your protein and fat and limit yourself to 3meals a day - they can be large but no snacking in between..

If you have the money Zoe is really insightful.

If you have a lot of motivation Fast 800 is low Carb and fasting and calorie restriction and results in great weight loss whilst improving over measures of health. But you will need a ton of will power. There was a channel 4 series that's quite good.

I would definitely try injections first over weight loss surgery.

the injections reduce your appetite and that is what enables me to eat less. It’s as simple as that.

Have you tried "The Easyway to Quit Emotional Eating"? Can be bought as a physical book or audiobook. It might be worth a try. X

Sorty realised I missed off the answer at the beginning, NHS can't do anything to help the underlying cause. You might be eligible for injections but they don't address the cause either.

Thanks @ChangingHistory that is very very helpful. Low carb has really worked when pregnant (i end up at a lower weight by the end of pregnancy) through a mix of low carb and metformin due to gestational diabetes