Weight loss NHS IVF

[Jennifer89]

I have an appointment due in April to start referral for ivf. I have been told I need to lose weight to get ivf to be below 30 however I am a bit over this at 31. I need to lose at least 2 kg so not huge amount, going to up my exercise and eat more healthily next few months. Just worried I may not acheive the goal and then will be not approved for ivf.

Are any of you familiar on if they ever give any allowance to lose weight before start ivf or if they tend to be strict at the initial appointment? I also have age cut off of 35 approaching with my birthday in June 2024 so not sure if that will be a factor..

Said gently, there is good reason they ask you to lose weight. Being overweight negatively affects your fertility and the potential for a positive outcome, it also puts you at higher risk should you become pregnant. I would focus on losing as much weight as you can safely, and use this as motivation. With your BMI you could safely lose 2kg in a month so April shouldn't be an issue.

In direct answer to your question, yes from others stories they are generally strict as they need to have a cut off point. Good luck!

The NHS are very strict, I was weighed on every appointment, at one point getting refused the second transfer due to being slightly over … this was even once they had my frozen embryos.
To be on the safe side try to get below BMI 30.
Good luck :)

@SH998 thanks. I will aim to get below hopefully lose 6 so I am not just borderline. I have lost 1kg in last month and managed to be careful and not gain weight over Christmas.
I do find it interesting for private IVF the cut off is 35 Bmi. Why are they stricter with nhs specifically?

Well done on your weight loss so far, it’s not easy is it.
Ive no idea why there is a difference, maybe as it’s NHS and government funded they think the lower the weight the more successful the results will be.
Your doing the right thing losing a little more weight, better to be safe than sorry

@SH998 thanks, I have found just small things like no sugar in tea and no snacks or dessert after dinner has made a difference.

I'm in the same boat except my clinic have just contacted me to start in Feb. I'm currently 74.5kg and need to be 72.5kg. Technically this can come off in a couple of weeks but have been stuck at 74.5kg since beginning of December (I was 77kg). The last 2 kg is not coming off no matter how hard I try!

They were very strict with me. I was weighed at every appointment. I am currently pregnant after our first transfer and I don honesty think the months of living a healthier lifestyle and loosing the weight made all the difference so there is reasons behind the rules. I think it’s harsher on nhs as with private your paying for it rather than the government.

Having done two rounds of IVF (unfortunately failed) on NHS they are really strict with weight and for me it was a constant worry so tried hard to keep below by a few Legs. As others have said I was weighed often. Age was also a concern for me, in our area they will conduct IVF until you are 40 and you have to be referred and in ‘the programme’ by time 39. The funding is very dependent on age in the NHS but if you are in the programme already you should be fine. Good luck I truly hope it goes well for you.

When I did IVF the first time a couple of years ago, they only weighed me one time, at the very first appointment, and then there was no further mention of it (my BMI was pushing 30, but it was just under).

This time my BMI is just over, about 30.5, and I've been told I have to get it down before they will do it. I think they have become a bit stricter in the past couple of years.

I'm 38, my bmi was around 33 last feb . I lost the weight relatively quickly, within 3 months for my final weigh in. I lost 2 and half stone .
I did intermittent fasting, stuck to 1000 calories a day and went on a long walk once a week. Eliminated sugar as much as possible but did enjoy a very small amount of carbs. I didnt eliminate carbs completely. I still ate pasta. If I needed a sugary treat I ate those low cal bars , like skinny bar or a fibre bar .I ate alot of protein to keep to full.
I have pcos and weight loss has always been very difficult but I achieved my goal.
Focus on eating nutritious foods so your body isn't feeling deprived.
Not going to lie , the first two weeks were awful because I was constantly craving bad stuff. I felt like an addict going cold turkey but after that it was so easy and I actually felt fantastic. I had so much energy and all my gut issues had gone ( ibs here)
I did my ivf round in October and I'm currently 14 weeks pregnant

Hello,

How is the weight loss going?

I am also 35 and top of waiting list for IVF. I was able to be referred without being at BMI 30 but although I have lost 2 stone am still not at target despite now being at top of list. Luckily, they have said I won't go back to the bottom of the list will just wait at the top until I've lost the weight, I will give them a call when I do and we will get started.

The consultant recommended the fast 800 diet for me to lose the weight, which worked well but then I gained 8lb over Christmas. I've managed to get that back off but still have 9lb to loose asap.

How is everyone getting on with the weight loss?

I had a call today to confirm starting next month and to arrange medications.

The nurse said my last weight of 73kg, BMI 30.3 is not good enough! Now trying desperately to get the final 1kg off! Which shouldn't be soo hard but it is! My body is just being stubborn!!! Am eating 1000-1200 calories. Running 3x a week plus walking on non-run days.

@LIVFingOnAPrayer19

I've lost 2lb since my last post (which was last Thursday) so only 7lb more to go... fingers crossed!!

I feel your fustration as I am also top of my waiting list, literally just waiting to loose the weight to start the meds! I don't weigh in Kg but think it's around 2lb? You could get that off in one or 2 weeks!!! Not long - very exciting!!

@LIVFingOnAPrayer19

Also I have been doing the fast800 - 800 calories , this was recommended to me by the consultant to lose the weight quickly. Might be worth a try if you are stuck?

Hello how is every one doing with this. I have lost 4 more pound - 2 stone 4 pounds in total and only 3 more pounds to go!!! Exciting!! Xx

Well done! @thirtyandmore. I've now lost 9lb in total which puts my BMI at the 30.0 I need to be. Due to start my first cycle in the next week or two so hoping I lose a few more lbs before I start!

I start my FET meds in 2 weeks and would love to get a few pounds off before I start. I feel like I've self sabotaged in a way up to now. Like I've been in denial this is happening