To ask for a gastric sleeve on the NHS?

[Peroxideblondecurls]

I’m a size 20/22, I’m 5’7 and I weigh 16 stone. I’m 32 years old. I have tried so many diets over the years, I do walk as much as I’m able, but due to the weight I’m carrying, I find myself out of breath all the time and in a lot of pain, particularly in my knees.
I was so slim as a child and a teenager, and also in my early twenties. But then I started taking the contraceptive pill and after that the weight around my tummy just piled on and I couldn’t get rid of it, then it got worse again after having my son two years ago.
My mental health is the worst it’s ever been and my confidence levels are near to 0. I hate myself and think of suicide often.
Would the NHS consider me?

I'm not an expert but I think you have to show that you are willing to show them that you can loose weight.
It won't hurt to ask. Good luck.

Hi OP
I think with your BMI you would have to have a co-morbidity such as hypertension to qualify.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/weight-loss-surgery/who-can-have-it/

I don’t think you would qualify. Have you actually seriously attempted to lose weight? A gastric band isn’t the solution

I'm sorry you feel so low

Please speak to your GP about the impact your weight is having on your physical and mental well-being.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/weight-loss-surgery/who-can-have-it/

I don't think your bmi will be high enough to qualify op

It's not likely you qualify and you also have to show ability to make serious effort to lose weight first. Your mental health would have to be in a better place to qualify, too.

I dont think you would qualify, but, they could offer you other options.

I don't know what NHS guidelines are on bariatric surgery but if you don't qualify Try Why we eat (too much) by Andrew Jenkinson. It goes into the science behind weight gain, why diets don't work long term (they make you fatter) and what you can do about it. There is a thread on here about it . It is a lifestyle change and slow - ie you need to think long term and weight loss over years not weeks/months but I would say definitely worth trying

There are some safe and cheap options in Turkey and Egypt. There are some great Facebook groups, one is called the friendliest gastric sleeve and bypass group or something like that. I had surgery in Turkey and was home on the Thursday and back at work on the Monday. Never regretted one single second of it. Never been healthier.

All diets work if you stick to them for six months.

You wouldn’t qualify unless you have underestimated your weight. Slimming World is good.

Your BMI has to be 40 without comorbidities or 35 with them. This is the criteria for our trust.

I've had a gastric sleeve privately, It's the best thing I've ever done. Is a loan a possibility? That's how I funded mine.

Prior to having it here I was going Europe for it as it was considerably less. You need to research thoroughly. It is not an easy fix nor will it solve all the issues surrounding food.

Also another recommendation for the book Why We Eat Too Much it is really interesting and really looks at the science behind weight gain and the struggle to lose the weight AND keep it off. Really informative.

I don’t know what the criteria is these days but it’s risky surgery and not a decision to be taken lightly. Perhaps have a talk to your GP about other options, including counselling for your self-esteem as this really should be a last resort.

About 15 years ago I was referred to an obesity clinic in London to see a group presentation about gastric sleeves etc when I was about a size 18-20 / height 5”5, and when I sat down so many people came up to me and asked how the surgery had gone, was I happy I’d done it etc. I was ‘sorry, this is my first referral for my weight too’ and it transpires they all thought I was the ‘after’ result of weight-loss surgery at size 18-20.

You see, of course I was very overweight/obese but the other people in this packed-out waiting room hoping for a gastric sleeve made me look slim(ish). Most would have probably been in size 30+ clothes.

I don’t think that you would be a candidate as yet, and it would be worth exploring your options. I’ve started The Fast800 eating plan by Michael Mosley and so far I’ve lost 9kg. I highly recommend it but like any type of weight-loss method it requires willpower and determination and this is where specific weight counselling may be helpful before you embark on your chosen route.

There's a long running thread on here
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/4152685-Bariatric-surgery-no-2-thread

Most counties have an NHS weight loss service, so would recommend you start there - you will probably get more practical help than from your GP.

As @HmmmmmmInteresting said there is a thread where you may be able to get some advice from both people who went nhs and private

Please don’t go out of the UK to have this surgery. My hospital consultant friend said it’s so common for people to go abroad for cheaper surgery and then when complications occur the NHS has to pick up the pieces, plus you can’t always be sure of the standards and after-care (how will you have the latter when you are back in the UK?) in other countries.

Do see your GP to tell them how you’re feeling and what support they can provide. Surgery should be an absolute last resort.

I’ve been overweight most of my adult life, fluctuating between an 18-20 and a 8-10. It’s horrible and I’ve had some seriously low times because of it.

Like a pp mentioned I’m also doing the Fast800 and there is a helpful Facebook group called ‘Fast 800 Recipe & Support.’ There is also some books and recipe books to read for advice. My GP approved of me doing this too.

I don't think you'll qualify. I had your exact stats at the start of last year - 5"7, 16 stone and size 20. Within 6 months I was 5"7, 12 stone and a size 14. All I did was reduce my calories to 1600 (at first, the lower), walk more and start couch to 5k.

It IS possible

I've lost 15kg in 12 months using a calorie counting app and walking regularly. It has to be achievable and sustainable and 1 stone in a week is neither I'm afraid.

I had barratric surgery. The NHS process is robust and long and rightly so.

In my area you need to have a BMI of 40 plus or 35 plus with Co morbidity to be considered.

It is life changing and you need to be both physically and mental prepared for it.

Do not go out of The Uk

In the kindest way you will not qualify for nhs bariatric surgery until you accept that you are overweight because you eat too much and exercise too little. The contraceptive pill does not ‘make’ you gain weight, it may make it harder to lose but you gain weight because your energy intake is higher than usage

I've just finished the NHS weight management scheme. The idea is to eduacate you about eating habits, nutrition, goal setting etc. Then interview to decide whether you are moving onto a different mostly group or for surgery.

I have learned a lot about my eating habits - mainly that I do know a lot about cooking and meal planning and the nuts and bolts of obesity are not the problem, but using food as a tool for my emotions definitely is.

So, surgery isn't a solution for me - I know I'd just make nutella milkshakes and gorge on that.

Have a chat with your GP about the referral to the local weight management clinic, it has been helpful for me. I'm not much thinner, but I am less overwhelmed by it and I can see what I need to do to figure out how to make the changes habits.

Good luck.

Oh come on, it can be done. I've recently started to lose weight; and have gone from 18st to 17st in one month.
Don't just take the easy way out. At the end of the day, weight loss surgery won't amend your destructive relationship with food.