Info on NHS weigh management tier 3

[ellatucker]

Hi all,

I’ve struggled with my weight since my 30s but now it’s out of control. I’ve done WW and SW but with no success, and cannot exercise.

Six years I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and have bone on bone arthritis in my right knee, however I was mobile. Now I’m six stone heavier, in constant pain and fatigue , and cannot walk far even with crutches. I have to lose 6 stone before the surgeons will operate, even though I’m only 49 I require knee replacement surgery. My GP has referred me to the NHS weight management program, but I have to decide which route to take either the diet and tablet route or diet and referral for surgery.

I don’t think I will be able to have the tablets as I have problems with my stomach, and I believe there is a waiting list for the injections.

I cannot find any information on the program, or what the diet involves, can anyone help?

In addition, can anyone provide information on how the surgery went for themselves ?

Thank you

Angela

I

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, ellatucker

First of all, you may like to read this for inspiration healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

I also think it wouldn't hurt to revisit the Thyroid UK forum and get up to date with your thyroid function and supporting vitamin tests. You need all to be optimal to have any chance of significant weight loss and relief from many of your other symptoms. Fybromyalgia is often misdiagnosed hypothyroidism.

I'm sorry, I can't help you with the programme, as I know nothing about it.

I can suggest you take time to get to know the forum and all we have to offer, then join in with as much as you wish. Here's a link to our pinned posts to get you started healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Wishing you all the best

[Mary30 Visitor]

Hi Ella, Have you ever heard of Overeatters Anonymous? Well worth looking into.

[ChubbieChops Visitor]

Hi Angela, I had a knee replacement 4 years ago. It was the best thing I did, however, I didn't have the additional health and weight issues that you have. My consultant stressed to me that the key to success - having full mobility as quickly as possible and minimal discomfort afterwards - was doing the physiotherapy exercises religiously and using pain killers to push through the pain and discomfort that came with that! The new knee does not bend as much as the other but I was discharged from physio as I was able to bend it 110 degrees.

I was surprised by how quickly I did become mobile again. The first 2 weeks were hard but it felt so much better when the staples were removed. Within 6 weeks I was walking using a stick more just to give me confidence and we moved house!! so I had an hour's drive on my own but all was good.

I have no idea about the NHS weight loss programme but in order to get the best from the physio exercises, you really should try to lose weight. Last year my doctor told me to lose a bit more weight (a separate health issue) and she recommended intermittent fasting. She suggested I start off by looking at Dr. Michael Moseley's 5:2 diet - very readable and manageable. Since then I have read so much about fasting and listened to podcasts about fasting and its health benefits, apart from just weight loss. I feel so much better in myself now, I have lost nearly a stone and my BMI is 24.8. Obviously you must follow your doctor's advice but perhaps you could discuss her/his views on fasting? Best of luck

[Grigid Moderator 4 stone in reply to ChubbieChops]

Hi ChubbieChops

Thanks for taking time to reply and offer support on the Weight Loss Support forum.

I’m not sure that you’re still on a weight loss journey yourself, but if you are give us a shout and we’ll reply with details of what we’ve got going on at the moment .

[ChubbieChops Visitor in reply to Grigid]

Hi Grigid, I'm not on an official weight loss programme. I was just told to lose a bit more weight last year. Since then I have lost nearly a stone which I had been doing through staying lowish carb and increasingly intermittent fasting. As I said, my BMI is now 24.8 and I am below 10 stone for the first time in decades! So I am now interested to see where my weight loss can go. I used to be quite active on here in the LCHF group but I feel I know what I am doing and what suits me in that respect now. I would love to engage with other people about fasting but the fasting group doesn't seem to have much to say at the moment. So that's where I am at the moment.

[Grigid Moderator 4 stone in reply to ChubbieChops]

Congratulations on your achievements. That’s a shame about the fasting group. You're very welcome to pop in here with your experience and you’ll notice I’ve given you a ‘visitor’ badge too. Good luck with your next steps 😊

[ChubbieChops Visitor in reply to Grigid]

Ooooh, thank you very much

[Servi Restart June 2023]

Hi ellatucker, I have been on an online NHS weightless programme and it was very good. They look at all the common places we might fall down and how to go about making good habits, as well as looking at portion sizes and getting the balance of foods right. I have arthritis and was advised that exercise helps. There are some good exercises on versus arthritis website. I do a lot of these in bed before getting up and it certainly helps. Moving legs lying down means there is not the pressure on the knee so it doesn't hurt the same as walking etc. Also consider swimming or aquarobics. Also it is worth trying to just be outside for a bit each day as it will make you feel better, and help with your will power. Good luck and hope you start to feel better soon. Xx

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Servi]

Some very helpful tips

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Servi]

Servi, my apologies, I didn't give you a proper welcome back. I see it's 3 years since you were last here on the forum. Are you still aiming to lose weight or are you at a level you're happy with now?

[Servi Restart June 2023 in reply to BridgeGirl]

Hi BridgeGirl, yes I am still trying to loose weight, I was doing quite well until lock down and then it all went pear shaped...literally! I was then ill. I am feeling better now and feel motivated for another burst. I found checking in each week a bit much and led me to stay on the internet far too long as I would get distracted and start looking at other things. Every now and then a mail pops up from the group so I take a little look and it helps with motivation. So I will keep it at that for the moment. I am doing Wii fit each day so that is keeping track of my weight . I am aiming not to "diet" but to eat as I should be eating, although the weight comes off slowly, hopefully I won't put it back on and will then be in the habit of eating as I should. Also trying to do more exercise. Thanks for reaching out and saying hi. Xx.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Servi]

Sounds good All that any of us can do is keep at it and, if one thing doesn't work, try something else.

I'll give you a Restart badge and remind you that if you follow this link healthunlocked.com/weight-l... you'll find all our activities. Have a look through to remind yourself of what's on offer. Springers Specials will be something new since last you were here. There's always plenty of chat and encouragement so join in as much as you can.

[Servi Restart June 2023 in reply to BridgeGirl]

Thanks very much 😁

[Hectorsmum2 Visitor]

I have simialr health issues but am now losing with support from thyroid uk and Overeaters anonymous. There are a lot of people in over eaters anonymous who have had the surgery and it doesnt always work, they end up in OA after it has failed and it is such a shame they didnt try OA first.