Anyone in Wales?

[HCantThinkOfA]

How long is the process? Reffered to community dietician by gp a year ago who agrees I qualify for WLS but so hard to get funding in Wales and don't really know the process. Wondered if anyone else been through it?

[BigT1973]

Even if you qualify for bariatric surgery you must do at least one year of weightless with the SWMS service and loose weight and show them that you can keep it off now I have lost 5 stone and kept it off but have been with specialist weight management for over 2 years now and I have only just had the seminar about the surgery options a few weeks ago. I had a one on one with the surgeon last week and I have to loose another 5 - 10kg and pass all the stress tests for the operation from cardiology sleep study and endocrinology and then a 1 on 1 with the team who will do the operation and I'm still looking at just next year so it's no quick fix but most people say around 3 years from start to finish but one you start please keep with the program you only get weighed once a month and they help you with everything as I have found out because I can't exercise as I broke my back and neck I have ms and addisons disease but I still managed to loose over 5 stone and it was pretty damn easy for me. Good luck with your journey which will be worth it at the end.

[Lowrie1986]

Hi, I am now coming up to 2 years post gastric sleeve. I live in Wales. From the time my referral was accepted to the time I had my surgery it was 2 years, Its a very long process. For me it was very much worth it but I really would recommend trying to lose the weight before having the surgery. The surgery isn't a permanent problem solver, it is a tool to help you kick start your surgery and unless your eating habits change the surgery will not be successful (I only know as I've been through it myself). So if you have to change your habits anyway may as well give it a go before surgery and avoid the risk of short and long term complications.

Having said that I am very much glad that I had my surgery done. I have had very little complications to date and have so far lost 8 stone though I am now struggling to lose more (which I need to). But persevere with the process and keep calling and following your referral up, but all in all it took about 2 years for me to have mine xx