can i have gastric band on the nhs

[cheeklollipop]

hi i hope someone can help me over the last couple of years i have been trying to lose weight and im just getting bigger and bigger my bmi is now 41 which is dangerous.
I have tried loads on diets that havent worked the only one i lost weight on was the atkins but i gave me terrible head ache.
i dont know which way to turn
can i get a gastric band on the nhs?
i need to do something before it effects my health

[Whatawoman]

Yes you can but first your dr will assess you then give you a goal weight to reach before you can have the surgery -  you have to prove that you are serious and of course as with any surgery the bigger you are the higher the risks... A friend of mine is 23 stone -  she has to get to 19 stone then they will do the band for her. This is not an easy option. The change to your life after is pretty incredable and I for one couldn't live with it.... have you asked for a dietician consult -  they will do that on the nhs too.
Good luck.

[fitnfifty]

I went to see my doc and was told that no they do not do gastric band on nhs anymore. I have a bmi of 40 and have been trying to lose weight for 30 years with little success. my doc would not entertain it and gave me some rubbish blue tabs that stop you absorbing fat but as i eat very little fat nothing happened, it seems a bit of a grey area i have read the NICE paper on this and even that is not clear. Does anyone out there no for sure is my doc giving me the run around ?

[andypandy08]

Please dont bother, the band only works if your dedicated as well, my friend had it fitted thinking it would solve all her problems, just like you having tried diet and stuff, but if she was totally honest she cheated and thats why it didnt work.  The band cut your stomach into two pouches the top half is what you will fill when eating, but if you have to stick to dry foods, nothing with sauce or moisture or it just slips straight thru the whole.. imagine sand in an egg timer thats how it works but if you add moisture even a sip of water.juice it slips straight thru.  She lost 1 1/2 stone after the op because of the pain from the op and drinking nothing but fluid for 2 weeks, but then she could eat normally so ther was no point.  Except now she has FIVE scars accross her upper stomach and the port to which they inject the fills into, she wasnt told about this before hand, the port is a hard round disk which sits in between your rib cage just below sternam and she hates it as she can feel it.  Please dont do it.. your wasting your time.. she cheated on normal diets.. its obvios she'll cheat with a band.. she could eat a chinese curry or even a steak meal within weeks of having it.. that to me it  not a caure for over eating at all.  Sorry to drone on and i am sure others have had great success i am just repeating what i have seen first hand. x

[Red2008]

I am not really impressed with the whole idea of the band myself.
I did have a gastric bypass surgery, the ru n y. It is more involved but successful.I have a ten inch scar, do is regret it ..no.
I have to be very careful and watch my labs because it is very easy to become dehydrated and vitamin deficient.  I have lost one hundred fifty pounds.. I have been working on a few more due to my thyroid misbehaving.
I think you need to have a consultation and see what your options are. If I can be of any help look me up. Red

[Ranaesheart]

As our BMI climbs and we search for any way possible to lose weight, the band surgery seems like a glimmer of hope.  Ultimately, we each have to make that determination for ourself.  My BMI was above 53.3 when I started and I'm proud to say it is now 28.6.

The question I asked myself when those thoughts would run through my mind was ... if I am eating uncontrollably now ... then will I stop that behavior after having the surgery?  It made me realize I had to explore and rethink my relationship with food.  It led me to healthy eating and the inner self-work needed to bring about change.  

It's not been easy .. at times quite hard ... but it is do-able.  With the support of this community and those members that so willingly and knowledgeably share their advice and support, we can achieve the weight loss we desire.

Hope you will consider this as an option and wish you health and happiness with your choices .. wherever they lead you.

May I suggest you use the many trackers available here .. the weight, mood and exercise trackers are wonderful tools to help us in our success.  MedHelp is working on a food journal and they are have it available hopefully to begin the new year.  Would urge you to consider being an active participant in this community .. it really does help keep us on track.

Sunshine wishes .. Ranae

[barmynan]

im 29 n  my bmi is 35 i hate my body i cant even stand to look in the mirror i as wondering if i would be able to have the gastric band on the nhs

[supervixen]

Hey there. I am roughly around the same weight as you according to your BMI, Im 20 and for most of my teenage life have been overweight, Ive tried many diets including Atkins. I have just started healthy eating this week and I have already lost 3lbs just by eating sensibly. I eat about 1400 calories a day, always eating breakfast, lunch and dinner with 2 snacks in between which are normally a cereal bar or fruit or even a weight watchers cake, this keeps your metabolism going and gives you enough energy throughout the day without feeling hungry. The best idea is just to eat smartly, get enough fruit and vegetables and protein, you dont have to deprive yourself of anything as long as its in moderation :) and you will deffinitly lose weight at a HEALTHY rate, I really dont think theres a need to go as extreme with a band. If you want someone to talk to or a diet buddy, you can always send me a PM, it would be nice to have shared support and know that your not alone! Hope Ive helped you!

[Ranaesheart]

Supervixen - Thank you for your lovely post and congratulations on your weight loss.  The manner you are approaching your weight loss is the same as I did and, slowly but surely, the weight comes off.  Kind of in the same manner it went on.  The good thing is, it is teaching us a way of life, not a diet, and it is something we can maintain.

Your offer to barmynan is gracious and I would like to invite you both to join as regular members of the WL&D community.  There is much information to be shared on a daily basis, motivation, support, encouragement and we have a few pranksters who liven it up every now and then.

barmynan - I know what it is like to hate your body .. I spent many years that way running from mirrors and threatening to break anyone's camera who dared point it at me.  It is with heartfelt best wishes for you .. that I share this .. http://www.ranaesheart.com/2008/06/love-yourself-thin.html   This is an article I wrote.  Would love to see you accept our invitation.

Very best wishes to you both!!!  Oh .. btw .. MedHelp is launching a new food journal in approximately 3 weeks.  Please watch for it and consider using it - I found a food journal most instrumental in my journey.