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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect some help from my GP in losing weight?

543 replies

Chubbychubchub · 27/02/2018 13:23

I am a fatty. Properly overweight. About 8 stone over normal weight range (about 19st, I should be 11st at most according to BMI).

Last year I had some health issues. My GP said I'd benefit from losing weight. Just eat less and move more were her words.

I have tried. However I struggle to control what I eat, and have zero willpower.

I did go to a well known slimming group previously. It made me ill, though I did get down to 13st. But it wasn't sustainable.

I asked my GP for help. I was told 'all they could do was refer me to the nurse, but she would tell me the same. That was all they could do and there was no other help available.

I have heard of people locally being referred to a dietician, or sent to slimming group for free etc. Aibu to expect something similar, or certainly some kind of help beyond trite advice?

OP posts:
Rinoachicken · 27/02/2018 20:09

OP I recommend you try and access the freedom programme if there is a course near you. It for women who are in or have been in abusive relationships. I found it incredibly helpful when I left my ex. It’s free. Just google ‘freedom programme’ and you can search for one in your area, or call your local domestic abuse centre (the one I did wasn’t listed on the freedom website actually, so I wouldn’t have known about it except through my local da centre).

Also, you can now self refer for counselling on the NHS, you don’t need your GP to ok it. The website is here: www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Psychological%20therapies%20(IAPT)/LocationSearch/10008

PostNotInHaste · 27/02/2018 20:14

Can I gently ask why you decided to post in AIBU rather than the weight loss section? I wonder if on some level you did this knowing that the thread would go like this and it ends up reinforcing your feeling that people aren’t supporting you. It sounds like there’s a lot of anger going on in you about your past and your current situation and it’s coming out on here . Which if that is the case and you recognise it and can turn it around could be a big step in moving forward.

I was in your position 15 months ago as in the same weight, height and with gallstones. My version of your abusive ex was my extremely manipulative and lying Mother who has now died. I went to my GP to be referred to have my gallbladder removed as the pain had massively escalated and was hugely interfering with my life but I was at that point to be referred so sent away to lose a stone.

Went away gutted I’d got into that position and felt briefly very sorry for myself then determined that I couldn’t control the past but could the future and that everything I had done before had led to yo-yo dieting so new sustainable approach was needed and I knew I was going to have to change my lifestyle a lot in the long run.

I’m another who has benefitted hugely from the 100lb thread. It’s quite isolating having that much to lose and some help to be able to talk it through with others in the same position. I’m not quite finished losing yet done about 95lb at last count and a stone to go but it has been pretty life changing.

Mustang27 · 27/02/2018 20:18

Hey op I really feel for you. Sounds like there are lots of things going on preventing you from losing weight.

I'd recommend if you can just eating a shed load of vegetables with every meal and meat or fish. Things like a pork loin or chicken breast then a load of broccoli or Brussels sprouts even for breakfast. Forget the pasta, bread & rice it's just empty calories. Start viewing food as fuel. You can even just buy it all frozen from farm foods or Iceland to save money. I had gall stones and lost 5st doing this. It can be easy enough and if you just eat when your hungry sometimes that could mean 5 meals a day for me or just one and I'd have things like raw carrot or cold meatloaf for snacking. I felt amazing doing this. You also have to make sure you are staying hydrated so lots of water. I drink a pint of water before I eat and immediately fill it up to drink with my food.

kittensinmydinner1 · 27/02/2018 20:34

Op. So many people on this thread with absolutely no idea of the complexities associated with obesity.

My dsis was your size. Went to GP, had Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, developed Sleep Apnoea. Also pre diabetic. She was costing the NHS a fortune.
GP referred her (at her request) for Bariatric surgery. She needed to go through the tier 3 process of 6 months of Psychological help for her food issues as well as very basic food labelling education (a bit patronising but course has to cover all based)
She had the OP on the NHS and lost 7st over 6 months and the final 2 stone over the next year.

She has no further arthritic knee pain. No BP medication. No incontinence and hasn't been to the doctors for over a year. The OP costs 8k privately so probably closer to 5k to NHS. There is a risk to all surgery but Gastic bypass has less morbidity % than gallbladder/tonsillitis surgery.

I went to her 'reunion' with all the people from the Bariatric hospital where she had her surgery. Over 200 very happy people who's lives have been changed for the better. I did a huge amount of research on Bariatric surgery because I was initially so against it but am a convert for those who just can't lose it.

Pm me if you want more details.
Btw. UCL Professor Dr Rachel Batterham did a brilliant documentary where results of long term sustained weight loss. (Sustained being the important word here) ... If your BMI is over 35 then your chances of getting back to BMI of 25 is less than 1:135. (And 85 % of those put it all back on within 5 yrs).
If you are BMI of 40+ then it's 1:700+ with the same bounce back rate.

You cannot exercise yourself thin. It's 99% diet.

Nicknacky · 27/02/2018 20:35

kittens Are you seriously suggesting that major surgery is the answer here?!

The op needs to at least try everything before considering major surgery. It's no quick fix.

PhantomBlooper · 27/02/2018 20:38

OP, I really feel for you and, in many, many ways, I'm very similar to you.

It's ok to feel angry about what you've been through. I am in a similar boat and have past experiences that only my DP knows about and, as a result, people around me struggle to understand my behaviour sometimes.

I have gained weight and lost it through a variety of methods. I've used foods to comfort and to punish myself. It's shit and you reach a point where it feels so overwhelming that you don't know how the hell you're going to start climbing the hill.

This will only work when you are ready for it to work. The way you talk about yourself and assume what people think about you is hearbreaking. You need to break the cycle of negative self talk by opening up to someone, be it your GP or another health professional.

Forget the weight loss, that will come with time. The first step is to start taking care of you. The more pressure you put on yourself, the more likely you are to trip up and beat yourself up about it.

On the food front, I've found reducing my sugar intake has helped massively with cravings and hunger. If I get hungry, I get anxious and will shovel whatever I can get into my mouth, so I plan and meal prep. If I know I've got something already made for dinner then I feel calmer and more in control. I say this as someone who has eaten a whole box of cereal in one sitting, so I know the struggle is real!

I eat low carb but not high fat. All my carbs come from veg. I buy bags of frozen broccoli and cauliflower and use that to bulk out my meals and add a protein like tuna or chicken. Again, what's clicked for me isn't even related to weight loss, it's about keeping my emotions in check because if I manage my emotions I can manage my eating much easier.

Yes, there are shit long days where I want a gin and a pizza or chocolate but I find they are fewer and far between. And if I do fall, I TRY not to mentally beat myself up as that results in me eating more as I think I'm a failure.

I'm waffling On, but you need to identify your triggers and then you can manage them better, plan for them, and leave them behind.

It's not easy, especially if you have psychological scars. I am on Sertraline and that has helped stabilise my mood massively (Not saying that will work for you as not a dr). I exercise with a PT twice a week and that keeps me good too, especially if I'm feeling low.

Be KIND to yourself. Don't ask your GP for help with your weight, ask for mental health support. I promise you then the hill won't seem as steep.

kinorsam · 27/02/2018 20:38

Blaming emotions is just abdication of responsibility

WTF?

Salmakia · 27/02/2018 20:42

Have already sent you a private message when I only got half way through the thread. But I'm here to take add to the thread now I've finally got to the end (so far) of this train wreck. You are struggling with really poor self esteem after who knows how many years of emotional and physical abuse that you've said you've never received support for (professionally or within your friendship circle). And a symptom of that is your current size. And fuck me what do the braying mobs of mumsnet do but call you selfish, stubborn, difficult and lazy. I've never seen such a lack of empathy and I've been reading AIBU for a few years.

Some posters need to take a long hard look at themselves and then log off to address their inhumanity. Not exaggerating. Disgraceful.

dadshere · 27/02/2018 20:42

Eat less, walk more. If you want to lose weight recognise that you will go through periods of intense discomfort, it is horrible being hungry, but if you want to lose weight, you have to suck it up. After the birth of dd, I put on over two stone, I ate badly and did no exercise. Losing it was hell, I felt terrible; hungry and grumpy all the time. Keeping it off is still hard, but I am trying.

Salmakia · 27/02/2018 20:43

Obviously the members who have posted with compassion and tried to support the OP are the shining lights that are the exception in this thread. Thank goodness yous exist.

Twocatsonebaby · 27/02/2018 20:51

Honestly.. Personally.. With how tight the NHS is now.. No. I don't think they should be so quick to offer you help.
This is YOUR choice. YOUR body. I know mental illness etc can come into this. I truly do sympathise with this as I grief ate after my brother committed suicide to deal and It took me ages to shift. But a doctor cannot make your willpower up for you.
In my experience, you need a shock. Like an actual shock to give you a kick up the arse. I was 12 when I started my huge weight loss (was 16 stone) and I got down to 9 mainly because I walked into a shop and nothing fitted.
I believe you create your own reality and I know its the hardest thing to loose weight like this, but the first hurdle of doing it for a week is the hardest and you have to be so strong and so driven.
Join a gym if you haven't already. An start eating better. If you're in control of your weekly shop, no junk. Try being plant based a bit as it'll give you the most benefits. You can do this. You can you just need to change your mindset

Moonandstars84 · 27/02/2018 20:52

I have just joined the other thread. I haven't had a chance to read this one but I do feel your pain op.
I need to lose over six stone now. I begged for help when I had to lose weight for surgery but I didn't qualify for help. So I did a Lighter Life style diet and lost 2 1/2 stone. Had the op but the weight went back on with an extra stone.
Hope you join the other thread.

BitOutOfPractice · 27/02/2018 21:10

I just wanted to say again, in case you missed it OP that I do not think that someone who lost 6 stone (6 stone!!!) on a diet they hated lacks willpower. I think that demonstrates that you have willpower in spades!

BitOutOfPractice · 27/02/2018 21:12

Another aside, I would push for a gall bladder op OP. It will only get worse and once you've had the blighter out you won't look back

Oblomov18 · 27/02/2018 21:23

I think the OP is getting a hard time.
Clearly MN population is uber slim. Hmm
Whereas 62% of the UK population is overweight.
So,clearly most people have willpower issues.

satsumasunrise · 27/02/2018 21:26

I highly recommend this book op.End of Dieting

It says a whole food plant based diet (vegan) is the answer. As you don't eat eggs or cheese you're part of the way there already. The weight will drop off you and you'll massively reduce your risk of future illness.

Good luck!

Incywincyteenyweeny · 27/02/2018 21:34

To me, reading your post you are looking for validation that it’s ok for you to keep eating and getting bigger because someone, in this case your gp, just wont ‘just give you the help you need’.
As previous posters have said, there is no will power treatment. Doctors save their curing for curable diseases, like cancer. Not shovelling in too much cake.
So what I’m saying as, please don’t use ‘no one will help me’ as an excuse to eat some more.
You need to find what would motivate you to change, hold on to that and this is where your will power will work from.
What gets to you? You loose weight and see your grandchildren? Alternative Your dc burying you. The thought of all the fat encasing your organs. Or the thought of you being able to walk down the street without getting out of breath. What picture do you prefer?
Once you know your motivation the will power will come more easily. It does in my experience.
I also agree with the poster who said if you can maintain what it must be to eat and eat and get as big as you are, then you can afford slimming world and a swim or some other excercise. Why should the tax payer bail you out?
In short yes. Yanbu. I think you probably already know that.
Good luck. I hope you can find your motivation and will power you need.

Incywincyteenyweeny · 27/02/2018 21:35

*in short yabu.

notanurse2017 · 27/02/2018 21:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Steamcloud · 27/02/2018 21:36

Agree with Oblomov!!

KeepHimJolene · 27/02/2018 21:40

Can you PM me pls OP. Some of the responses here make me weep.

gingerchick · 27/02/2018 21:46

I believe you op, was in a Very similar situation myself

nocampinghere · 27/02/2018 22:04

Please can no one else post without at least reading ALL the OPs posts

it's not hard, they're highlighted
if they're not highlighted, change your settings!

kittensinmydinner1 · 27/02/2018 22:06

Hey NickyNacky , you have obviously no idea what being trapped in obesity is like. !!

How about this for an idea. Let's suggest the OP eat less and move more ..because I bet she never thought of that !

Or perhaps she could spend another few years dieting , lose the six stone she has already lost once (because she's soooooo short of self esteem 😏) .. and then when she's put it all back on again in 3 years, plus a couple of stone more (because this is how it goes EVERY time unless you happen to be the 1:700 something that keeps it off for three years.. ) then, when OP feels eve MORE shit about hers having cost the NHS fuck knows how much in treating the associated illnesses of obesity.. then would you 'allow' her surgery ? . Which costs 5K that actually cures type 2diabetes, (for many people as they come out of surgery) , which includes a programme of psychological help to help her understand her relationship with food.

No of course not. Why would you suggest a cure for this horrible disease when they haven't 'suffered ' sufficiently for their gluttony..

kittensinmydinner1 · 27/02/2018 22:08

Oh and OP feel free to PM me. I understand exactly where you are. My sister was there and now she isn't.

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