Ivf consultation update

After taking my money and scanning me and having a consultation with an anesthetist the clinic have turned us down.Despite my application saying my height and weight they still put me through a month of waiting for the appointment and following that a week wait for a humiliating video call where I had to put my fingers down my throat to show my airway they said they won't treat me because my BMI is 4 points above where they want it.

Suffice to say I'm well and truly put off ivf.

I'm absolutely furious and heartbroken that a clinic would lead me up the garden path and let us think we had a chance, after everything we've been through it's disgusting.

This is a warning to others who might be a bit overweight, they will happily take your money then bin you off!!!

Good luck to the rest of you, I hope you get your longed for children x

[Twiglet2]

hi I’m sorry to hear youve had a bad experience at that clinic. you can pay for a consultation whilst still being over the BMI they won’t progress with treatment at that point but the consultation and scans etc can still be useful to get the ball rolling whilst you lose the weight, which is likely why they still had the consult with you. The month wait for an appointment for that is similar to my clinic at busy times too for new cycles which is annoying! When you just want to get on with it. Most clinics have their BMI requirements on their websites though if you don’t want to start with a clinic that can’t take you for treatment yet. They won’t start you on meds at all if you are over their requirements, at ours even by less than 1 point (crap I know but just want to help with your expectations going forward). Hopefully you find a better clinic in your area xx

[Hidden in reply to Twiglet2]

My point is that having waited a month they should have spoken to their anesthetist and decide then if they could treat not take money then say know.It's disgusting abd I won't be repeating having over my money for the same yo happen.

I enquired re bmi before even applying and was told its down to the consultant then when I saw the consultant he said it was down to the anesthetist then following the humiliation of the video call she said it was down to all the anesthetists so if this is not unethical and stealling money off clients and leading them on I don't know what is!

[Twiglet2 in reply to Hidden]

yeah sounds like a dodgey clinic and you can report them to HEFA and make a complaint direct to the clinic too. If they charged you for more than the tests and consultations then you are entitled to that money back as well. Most clinics in the UK the BMI requirements are up front and clear is my point if you did need fertility treatment I wouldn’t want you to be put off by this as in my experience it isn’t really the norm to not know up front if you meet the clinics criteria. Never had to ‘open my mouth’ at any appointment in video or in person in my 7 years of receiving treatment so goodness knows what that was for!

[Tcap in reply to Hidden]

but the point if seeing the anaethetist is for them to assess your anaesthetic/sedation risk which in part depends on your airway anatomy (hence asking you show your throat and airway). Airway problems are more common in those with a high BMI but it is not a given hence the assessment. They could have just dismissed you straight off the bat based on your BMI but it sounds like they did a more thorough/individual assessment. Unfortunately if you go privately you have to pay for that. This should have been made clear to you though including the risk that the anaesthetic opinion may deem you too high risk at your current BMI. Reducing BMI would presumably reduce your anaesthetic risk, that’s easier said than done though.

[herewego89]

<3 I hate bloody BMI's.... Its been a fight with those 3 bloody letters my entire life! Really wish you all the love and luck! The last 2 months Ive been following a Keto diet to smash through the last stone to get me to the required weight. At my consultation yesterday I was literally in shock at being at the correct weight, I asked if I could take a picture LOL.

Sounds like they have muffed you! I would be furious also, have a moment to feel like that and then take a breath and onto the next battle x