How to challenge your health board NHS UK? Gastric band related.?

C

Carol x

New member
I need to challenge my health board regarding protocols/policies for patient criteria. All the criteria for this procedure are based upon NEW patients & not revisional ones (I.e: I had a gastric band fitted privately 6 yrs ago, it worked (lost 11stone!) then it had to be reversed due to complications. But cant get it because im not meeting criteria anymore... im no longer seen as obese...but I will in time... and by then, my health will be affected.
Basically, I need this procedure repeated (or similar) so that my health isnt affected.
It seems ridiculous that I have to get fat again just to get the NHS to help!!
Before any of you rant on about healthy eating etc.... I know it all! There isnt much I dont know about balanced diets & exercise & Ive tried really I have. But knowledge doesnt stop you from putting it in your mouth! I get married in 7 weeks... I of all people should know that its imperative that I fit in my dress.. afterall it was over £1000. You would think that would be enough to spur me on... but I have still put 18lb on in the 7 weeks since the band removal!

So, any advice on challenging your local health board? Ive already been to GP, but they are tied to criteria, so all he has been able to do is refer me.... but I fear thats not going to be enough as criteria fro procedure is so strict
Another gastric band isnt advisable.. i know this... an alternative would be good tho.
I consider myself to be happy, loved, lovable.. in a wonderful relationship....had a good childhood.. & cant think of anything that would affect me emotionally to overeat. I have always been a fattie! Im just very scared that I will be again!
 
There is no point in trying to challenge your local Health Authority, as all guidelines and criteria are set by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence). The only way you may be able to get another gastric band fitted is to pay for it privately or go abroad where the criteria may be less strict - however I wouldn't recommend this especially as you've already had complications.
 
If there were complications with the last gastric band, can you be sure those complications wouldn't arise again?

Perhaps it might be better to try and tackle this from a different angle - maybe you could look at seeing a psychologist to help establish why you feel the need to over-eat? The real reasons are sometimes to do with feeling unloved, or unloveable... I'm not saying this definitely applies to you, I'm just thinking that overall you might be happier addressing the issues rather than preventing them with drastic surgery for the rest of your life.
 
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