My local CCG has a policy of not even allowing us to see an Orthopaedic surgeon unless we were the right BMI, let alone having surgery. Without exception. So I have had to fund a hip and a knee replacement myself.OH and I looked it all up- he said there must be a way to appeal. We found one way which was through my GP. I gave him all my evidence- on steroids, tried and failed bariatric surgery as surgeon would not perform any operation because of Pred.,Immobilised by three OA joints etc etc. My GP said they had never yet managed to overturn CCG decisions- I thought he might not even apply. But, good on him, he did and they have conceded that I have done everything I can to lose weight and failed to lose enough, so they will fund the surgery.
It just goes to show- never give up on what is right.Keep fighting for what you deserve and if it is right, it will happen!
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suzy1959
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Great !! - you most certainly deserve instant attention if you ask me, Hope you get everything you need as soon as it can happen and feel much better soon !!
I am thrilled for you. Much deserved. And shout out to your GP for helping make it happen.
As a Canadian who has PMR, on pred, and overweight despite a recent loss of 30lbs, and awaiting a total knee replacement, I am shocked at hearing what folks must go through the NHS. I have read accounts on here of people who are refused surgery because they are on pred, or forcing them to get down to a certain level. Ridiculous!!
I may have to wait more than a year to get the surgery here in certain areas of our province (I can get steroid injections while I wait), but I don’t have my ortho surgeon refusing to do it or forcing me to lose a specific amount of weight. He said the opposite, that pred level didn’t matter and they administer hydro product prior to surgery to replicate body’s natural response. He also said if it was an emergency, they would operate on people at any pred level. If my surgery was dependent on my BMI, being 5’2”, I’d never get it!! I am going to see another ortho surgeon for a consult next month, and am curious about his “rules” or lack there of. My surgery will be at no expense to me, and I have additional coverage for medication, mobility aids, semi private room, physio, etc).
I was feeling down about not getting my surgery this year, but after reading your story, I feel very grateful. Given your struggles, it makes your celebration all the more meaningful and important to recognize. Wishing you a smooth surgery and recovery.
Thank you. Yes. it has been a battle and it is sadly part of the picture of a groaning NHS, where there is not enough funding to go around and it is very easy to use BMI as a way to restrict the operations. One of the problems, I think is that it has then become policy for some surgeons to insist on the weight loss even in the private sector, believing it to be more risky to operate on an overweight patient. I have come across this too .I wonder if they have got so much less experience of operating on the overweight, it makes them jumpy. My experience is that I have healed just as quickly and recovered my mobility just as quickly as anyone else I know who is not overweight.
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GCA - I am not going to apologise for this long post. 
Should I leave my rheumatologist?
What a Journey
Biopsy Negative for GCA
