Nhs fertility clinic and being overwe... - Fertility Network UK

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Nhs fertility clinic and being overweight

AnaRita profile image
9 Replies

I have been battling infertility for 3 years and we are thinking about asking our doc to refer us. The isue is that i am overweight and my bmi is over 30. I know I cant do treatment through nhs until my bmi is 30 or lower. But I was told that my doctor can still refer me and full investigation can be done regardless of my weight? Is that right? 

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AnaRita profile image
AnaRita
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9 Replies
jam1982 profile image
jam1982

Hi, that is right, my bmi was over 30 when we were referred, i only just managed to get it to 30 for treatment! They will do the investigations while you're still losing weight! Best of luck! 😘

AnaRita profile image
AnaRita in reply to jam1982

It feels so good to know that things can be done 😃 I have always been told that because of my weight I would have to loose the eeight first and then be referred. I know nothing is an excuse but I have a bmi of 47 😱😱😱😱😱😱 that means ablot of weight to loose and I havno idea how to loose it because it is so much. 

Blondyboo profile image
Blondyboo in reply to AnaRita

If you have a lot to loose have a look at exante weight loss programme online. I have done it. Its very strict as its their products only you eat (its cheaper than Cambridge Diet) but its quick so I did it to get bulk off then now on slimming world to keep in check. x

jam1982 profile image
jam1982 in reply to AnaRita

I had a bmi of 40+ when we started our journey, but i knew before we even got a referral that I'd need to lose weight so it took me 5 years of eating sensibly and exercising! It's the hardest thing to do but hopefully will all be worth it in the end! I've gone back up to 32 following our first failed round, but back on it as of last week-need to get ready for an fet! 😇

DianeArnold profile image
DianeArnoldPartnerNurseFertility Network UK in reply to AnaRita

Hi AnaRita. I was just the same as you, and eventually managed to lose over 7 stone! It’s all just down to finding that will power. You can get referred for investigations etc., but as you already know, any treatment needed would only be offered at a lower BMI. I am certain that you are doing everything that you can to lose weight, but whatever you are doing, whether at a slimming club or on your own, make sure that you are keeping a record of your losses, however small, so that you can prove you are trying. A practice nurse at your GP practice would weigh you and keep a record too, if you don’t want to join a slimming club. Swimming, if possible, is good too, and don’t worry what you look like, as you are soon under water! If you can afford to attend one of these fitness centres, then speak to one of the advisors. He/she will be able to help you with your diet requirements and also the correct exercising that you require. Some GP practices will help you out with this too. Hopefully, if you can get down to a BMI of below 30 you can soon start any treatment you need. Thinking of you and good luck with it all. Diane

Hi I did reply to you on a different post. x

But in a nut shell I would urge you both to book an appointment to get the ball rolling. x You will feel a lot better once you feel like you are doing something about it. x Your weight shouldn't prevent you having investigations done or being referred. XI agree with jam1982. X

You should be referred straightway as you've been ttc for over 18 months. The sooner you know why it's not happening for you both the sooner it can be sorted out x the closer you get towards having your baby x NHS waiting times can be long so if I was you I'd get the ball rolling asap x I'm sure you'll feel less stressed when once you're doing something positive x for me it felt like we could take some of the control back x anything is better than sitting around wandering why it's not happening x or worse blaming yourself x something we've all done x my advice is to go to a GP you feel comfortable with x this is a big deal for you both x I cannot fault my GP x Good luck hunni I'm rooting for you x you can do this x

Cinderella5 profile image
Cinderella5

Hi Ana

I did the Cambridge Diet a while back and the weight fell off me.  Im not gonna lie, its a really strict regime but boy does it work!  You have a great goal to aim for so that may help too.  I found going to get weighed regularly meant I didnt have the same temptation to fall off the waggon!

Good luck!x

EmJayne91 profile image
EmJayne91

Hi lovely! My BMI was 32 when I was first referred, as like yourself I needed to be  a BMI of 30, I was still able to have all test done etc and to be fair it inspired me more to loose the weight, because I was determined every time I saw that doctor I would of lost weight. To help me loose the weight I joined slimming world, it isn't for everyone but I found it brilliant. I'm now at a BMI of 28 so I'm pleased :) 

Just think it may seem a million miles away now, and please don't take offence to this, but the bigger you are, the easier it is to shift the pounds. I don't know in weight but my mum was a size 22 she got stuck into slimming world and is now a stunning size 8. It took her a year and a half to achieve this!! 

Keep working hard and just think if this chocolate really worth it .... When I was about to be naughty I would imagine the first time I will be holding my baby and I soon put the naughty good down :) another helpful tip I found was to measure myself, sometimes the scales arnt as kind as we would like, but you loose inches in places you wouldn't even realise, it really is motivational!!

Ladies on here really helped me with my weight loss, use he form as little or as often as you can!

I wish you the best of luck with your journey ahead of you!! 😘 Xxxx

baby2016 profile image
baby2016

The criteria is they can do investigations whilst your bmi is over 30, however for treatment to start it needs to be 29.9 or below x

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