Feedback following appointment

[Ttlaroo]

Hello

I spoke on here recently about my experience trying to get a diagnosis for my pelvic pain.

I have been told that the waiting list for a laparoscopy is 2-3 years. I have been told to get on this waiting list I must reduce my weight. They said they will not perform the surgery unless I can reduce my BMI for 50 to 35 (I have worked this out that I need to loose over 5 stone).

I’ll be honest. I am feeling so overwhelmed with everything and I am struggling. I asked if I could be put on the waiting list now and I would loose the weight and they said no.

This consultant was much more pleasant and listened to me. We were able to discuss my worries and fears which made such a difference.

I don’t think I could put up with this unknown pain for 2-3 years. I am getting married next year. I work hard as a teacher. It is affecting my whole life.

Sorry for the moan. Thanks so much for all the kindness I have already received from this forum xxx

[Moon_maiden]

Hi Congratulations on getting married 😀

It’s great he listened, I still think it’s crazy they won’t put you on the list or help with weight loss. He could easily refer you within the hospital for dietician. They get worried about anaesthetic dose during op, harder to judge but not impossible.

Have you had in-depth blood test for thyroid and hormones? If not it’s really important your GP arranges this. Not all weight gain is down to food, but has to do the full check, too often they skimp on this.Has your GP suggested any medication to help, there is one that forces the body to lose fat from food, Xenical.

We’re here to support you whenever you want to let rip about how unfair the whole thing is 🙂

There is an option to go privately if you can afford it. I sold some jewellery to pay for initial lap with some treatment. Cost me around £3K with consultations. There might be a bit of a wait even for private. You get to choose consultant as well.

What do you teach?

[Missy100]

Being large alone is not a reason to make someone suffer. Is there any other health issues other than you BMI that they are saying the weight loss will improve and make safer? For example: heart complications, extreme asthma, blood pressure issues that are not being managed otherwise, ect.

Being larger does come with greater risks in respect of space (inside you) and access when operating, increasing risk of surgical error as well as impacting the risk of infection and healing time. But not being large doesn't mean that you won't have complications. As long as you are properly advised of the increased risks and are in a position to make a willing to accept them your consultant should be willing to provide any surgery that may improve your situation (or refer you to someone with the skill who can). You may need to fight this or ask for a second opinion referral, but don't let them convince you that size alone is an acceptable reason to refuse you healthcare.

As for wait times, they are unfortunately horrific. I've been trying to get help since 2016 and still no lap. After a formal complaint my consultant was changed to someone more senior. I had an up to date scan in June and have been waiting for an available appt to discuss the findings and a treatment plan since. I had a telephone appt booked for January but the hospital now cancelled the clinic at their discretion due to Covid so I am back on a waiting list again. I've been in debilitating pain for so long now and I sympathise as I know how hard it is to cope.

In the meantime your GP should be able to discuss and attempt to try and provide pain management as well as be willing to refer you to a local pain clinic who might be able to offer something that helps make it more bearable. Not a long term solution but hopefully a way to find some physical relief so you can find strength to keep fighting this horrible condition.

You are seen. You are heard. You are important and you matter.

[callumsmum]

This really annoys me about consultants, they tell people things can't be done due to their weight and procedures get put off until the patient doesn't meet the criteria any longer. I had the same over a few years of appointments until I actually had enough and called the consultant out as I knew she also operated privately and I said to her that if I could afford to pay privately would she still refuse and she said no! So it's all about money and not always what's best for the patient. She agreed to do a diagnostic laparoscopy on the NHS which she said rather arrogantly 'would not find anything'.......well it did find endo and I had a second lap a year later to remove it. They did say it would come back and I believe it has however I don't think they are in a hurry to see me again as I am outside the guidelines for IVF and I've made my peace with that and told them it's more about pain relief for me now. Had the procedure been carried out earlier I could of qualified for IVF instead of age 39/40 when ur deemed too old for their criteria.😭