Obesity treatment available soon

# 659

Posted: 31/01/2013 19:48

Hey, I've been attending Loughlinstown for over 2 yrs now. It took over a year from when the doctor referred me until I got called. The staff are amazing. I have finished my one to one appointments and preparing for a long wait for surgury. I'd love to talk to someone else who has been through Loughlinstown and has had the surgury. If someone has, my email address is howth44@gmail.com 

# 658

Posted: 31/01/2013 13:24

Fat people got that way due to eating, now they need to stop. why should the health care system have to pay to cover the cost of what they have self induced.

Why must nurses, HCA  and others have to put their own health at risk having to move these people.

recently i saw on  TV, one born every minute.

There was a lady in labour, she needed 5 people to lift one leg,, what a waste of resources.

Obesity is in 99% cases self induced and should be solved by changing lifestyle choices. the health care industry should not be made to pay for it.

I would even go so far as to say,, we should charge overweight people for weight induced illness .

it saddens me to see fat parents  and fat kids. why do that to the children.

# 657

Posted: 25/12/2012 11:01

Hi all,

I read your commons and used to face such clinical condition. i have no advice to give here. The primum moven remains the same , all,  or nothing and restititu i integrum. herein the decision should be based upon three  aspect: multifactorial , multidimensional and mulidisciplinary. medical , surgical or both .The end point will be primary and secondary. Results are influenced by variability : inter , intra and trans individual .Only qualification and observation are different. I will let you deciding upon these criterias only. ex : a lady who lost 40kg after surgery , developped renal colic , becoming diabetes free but on  renal replacement therapy awaiting renal transplantation.

# 656

Posted: 23/11/2012 11:16

just out of curiosity does any1 actually read this that can actually help or is it just all of us in the same boat trying to support each other....if any1 can give me some advice on what to do please contact me...at floppysfanny@gmail.com

i need advice on what to do my health is getting worse am suffering with pains in my knees now and my back is suffering..tore ligaments in my ankle in august and they are still trying to heal my weight is not helping....

# 655

Posted: 24/10/2012 00:07

thanks hopefull

my email is lisamcg2@gmail.com rob

# 654

Posted: 23/10/2012 16:14

Hi 

i had the sleeve gastrectomy. I use solgar protein shakes available online or from health matters. These are the best nutrionially, as some protein shakes can be full of bad chemicals. 

# 653

Posted: 23/10/2012 14:18

leelalou hi my email addy is robertodonnell33@yahoo.co.uk

# 652

Posted: 23/10/2012 01:08

hey hopefull can i ask what type of surgery u had and how are u now? im starting my pre op in two weeks. at the moment im finding it hard on deciding what protein drinks buy they all yuck. ne advice. i know who your talking about i think i researched all the options and got quotes from ireland and as i dont have insurance. its up near 20 g so for the gastric bypass. i am saving 6g by going to uk so its the only option i have as im borrowing. yes kittty my new doc is very suppiorive of my desicission and at first i was even considering to go to belgium but he didnt agree with this but was all for me going to uk. irish rob as i myself was in the same situation with loughlans and know a good friend of mine who is attending the process is very slow  its defo a pitty we cannot private mes eachother would be so hand.

# 651

Posted: 22/10/2012 20:02

Hi guys,

i am free to answer any questions I have a new email address where I'll answers any questions I can about my experience, that's all I can do. 

As far as surgery went I had an easy enough time, to be honest the aftermath has been difficult. Learning to love your body is not something an operation can change and depending on how long you've been over weight the more the effects of that will always show. 

Ive had some bad side effects, bone and joint pain, depression, and digestive but I have a life now. So I can't recommend it enough but don't think it's a miracle cure. You may never have the body that you have in your minds eye and everyday I struggle. The physical and mental scars of being over weight for so long have left their mark so please speak to someone professional. We don't eat cause we enjoy food, I only started to enjoy food once I lost the the weight.

please research the options, I had a sleeve, the band wouldn't of been enough but I felt the bypass was too severe. You have to figure out what's right for you. 

Get a home gym set of weights, weights are the way to go you need to build up muscle to help with skin because otherwise you'll end up with a mass of hanging skin, I had some but the weights helped. You will have skin depending on your size, so be prepared for this. 

I had to reply because I could feel your pain I was there. I'll answer all questions I can and share my experience. If you don't have insurance try invest because you will need aftercare and maybe more surgery. I know money is tight but its better per month than lump sums.

finally my life has improved so much, my confidence is up.the information is so hard to find so anyway here goes I've set up this email please email and ill respond as quick as I can and as honestly as I can. I don't know much about the medical card side but ill do my best.

email: newstartirl@gmail.com

# 650

Posted: 20/10/2012 16:46

hopeful please contact me on 0833012805 and tell me what to to please

# 649

Posted: 19/10/2012 21:43

Hi Hopeful, 

Thanks for that honest account of what happened, I do agree that the site needs to protect itself but I also feel that we, as members have the right to basic information that may help us to make some life changing choices. I have no doubt that your aim is to help and not slag anyone off, Is there a way we can post our facebook or email address to do this without it being removed?? I for one would now consider trying to finance the op myself and would like the no nonsence approach where I could ask what worked well for you!

irishrob37, You should be ready to ask plenty of questions that you would like the answer to, and dont be afraid to write stuff down in a notebook if you need to as the consultation goes by so fast! The main thing is, remember this man sees people who are seriously obese and treats us all with respect. If you have to, ring every couple of weeks if you have stilll not had a definate appointment date and keep note of the dates and times you made the calls and who you were talking to. Show them you mean business!! This is one hospital where you can be yourself. The best of luck, lets know how you get on!

leelalou, I had the exact same trouble with a consultant in a certain hospital in Dublin. Kept putting everything down to my weight even though it turned out I was seriously ill and had been back to A&E 8 times before another doc spotted what was wrong, I have since reported this doc to the hospital board and they are looking in to many claims that  have been made against him. I'm just glad you didnt take no for an answer and got yourself a new doc! I wish you all the best with your surgery, and you are right, with the prices over here it pays to go elsewhere! 

# 648

Posted: 19/10/2012 11:38

Hi 

I had the surgery two years ago. I tried to submit a messag about my experience especially my surgeon but it was rejected. I wish I could tell you where to go. This is life changing surgery, irishhealth.com needs to allow people share their experiences. 

I've had some scary experiences with surgeons but I wouldn't bad mouth anyone i'd just steer people in the right direction.

My insurance paid, but I know the surgeon I used is interested in this area, is a lecturer and treats public and private patients.

From first visit to surgery was less than six months, but it wasn't in Dublin.

My advice is google all surgeons in Ireland and speak to the secretarys. 

Please don't reject this message, I remember the pain people are suffering let those who have been through it advise of their experiences. 

Thank you

# 647

Posted: 18/10/2012 14:40

so leelou whats the price in the uk its between 5k to 20 k here maddness i have been in contact with the surgens secratary she told me a waiting list of 2 yrs so any advice 

# 646

Posted: 18/10/2012 02:16

wow kitty 5 years in all at least you are nearly there thank god i feel if the doc woulda sent me years ago all the times i have been down about my weight 26 years old have been heavy since a child and i had to research this weight management clinc myself keep going down and then i had to print off my own referel form and get him to fill it in and he had an attitude about it but yet is the first to blame my weight for every bloody sniffel  evently i changed docs and tg have a bit more support now lol but they way i see it is now if i borrow the money by the time it would take to get to louglanstown i would have it paid back so i was n uk for a party met a surgeon and my op is booked for next month all happend v fast but its a lot cheaper than ireland so its the best option for me i agree the lack of funding is just unreal anyway all the best in your journey

# 645

Posted: 15/10/2012 14:19

i have been in contact with the surgens sec and she told me that the waiting list is 2 yrs and i am next up any advice what to do next

# 644

Posted: 13/10/2012 00:36

Hey guys, Sorry to hear you both are still left waiting on appointments.

I'm attending Loughlinstown since Feb 2009 and I am on the waiting list for surgery. In all honesty if this is the route you want to go down by your doctors referal to Loughlinstown be prepared for a long wait. I have another 2 years approximatly to wait before my name gets to the top of the list. The staff are great but without the funding the health minister promised us last year, there is no dedicated consistant service out there without going private. 

Sure the staff themselves are suggesting private treatment to the patients if it can be afforded. Some of my close friends have recently had their ops done thro Loughlinstown and they are all very sucessful. There is only one surgeon, and only one op getting done a week depending on the availability of the surgeon and a bed in the ICU.

Realisticly the GP should keep refering you untill you get a date for your first session, let him keep pushing the issue on your behalf. It wont make it happen any quicker tho because as far as I'm aware there are 250+ patients waiting to get an initial appointment alone.

If I could ask a favour, as I am doing in the weight managment clinic in Loughlinstown, Could those of you affected by this lack of care due to funding cuts please speak out and email the Minister for health Dr.James Reilly. 

This service is needed to save lives, and we as obese people should have the same rights and entitlements to the other patients who recieve funding for care in any other hospitals throughout Ireland.

Its sad to think that our health is seen as not as important, thus allowing the stigma of being an obese person to continue and be nurtured by a minister who could award some funding and change hundreds of lives and in turn relieving the pressure on an already stressed healthcare system.

If I can answer any questions or help with advice please feel free to ask away :) Just remember, your not alone out there, even if sometimes it feels like it.

We need to help ourselves by standing up and demanding the same rights and care as everyone else!

# 643

Posted: 02/10/2012 00:19

as far as i know the one in cork isnt opened just galway and dublin im also from tipp i am going to go private now i think not gonna wait four r five years for op i myself had the same situation with giving blood two weeks ago went down first time read the sign and realised my weight was too big had to run outta coulda cried

# 642

Posted: 01/10/2012 17:25

well my doc told me letter went to consultant but he is in galway does any one know what hse hospital in  cork does the gastric bypass surgery as i live in tipp is it the cork uni hospital could some one let me know thanks guys

# 641

Posted: 20/09/2012 05:11

well here it is - i am 38 yrs old...have been battling with obesity all my life and fighting a losing battle..i do not eat a lot i do not eat every dayi was in a conversation the other day and a woman pointed out to me plain and simple fat people have fat children i was disgusted by her comment introduced my sons to her both are tall and 1 has a 28'' waist the other a 30'' waist i said where is the obesity with them..i am sick of negative opinions from people when it comes to my weight i have given blood since i was 18 i got turned away from my last donation because i was too fat for the beds after 20 yrs of donating i left in tears i know the death of my husband hasnt helped me.. my dr has put my on xenical and i got al the side effects to it and ended up sick..i need help i want t have the bypass done i have approached him before about it and he still wont refer me what advice can anyone give me and i am not a st on my ass couch potato either i walk everywhere 

# 640

Posted: 19/09/2012 18:09

REALLY NEED SOME ADVICE TO MY LAST 2 MESSAGES PLEASE HELP THANK U

# 639

Posted: 17/09/2012 13:53

Could someone please tell how long after the doctor sends the referral letter does a person hears that the consultant has recieved the letter and that I am on the list. My doctor sent my letter 5/6 months ago and I have heard nothing.

# 638

Posted: 14/09/2012 14:10

hi i dont even know for sure if my doc has sent the letter he told me he did that was 5/6 months ago have heard nothing dont even  know to whom he sent it to any one got any advice 

# 637

Posted: 13/09/2012 23:51

hi i have recently got the referel from my gp was sent away last week and after ringing the clinc numerous times finally got an ans to say once they get the letter you would recive an info pack still aint got mine and the waiting list is 2-2and half years before u get there then u have to atten clicnc every couple weeks for 12-18 months then a decisssion is made for sugery then back on another waiting list so now i can see why iit has take someone five years :( i hope i get my info pack soon at least i will know im accepted l

# 636

Posted: 12/09/2012 19:10

Could some one please tell me if the hse does gastric surgery and how long does it take to hear once thedoctor sends the letter to the consultant. Can anyone please help, need info.

# 635

Posted: 07/09/2012 02:28

Hi i wish i knew about this years ago i only found out recently thanks for your reply guess i will just have to wait my turn at least the letter is sent and i feel relived that there is this help there :)

# 634

Posted: 04/09/2012 22:53

it really depends on how urgent your case is re current weight and medical problems i think.

I knew a lady that was on the list 5 years!

I would say that the usual time to wait is 12-18mths some are up to 3 yers,its a big waiting list,and then you have to have all the x rays,.psych evaluation etc before it goes ahead,

I am at the end nearly, im attending another hospital for  the last 18MTHS, I think i may be having the gastric sleeve done in oct somtime,

# 633

Posted: 03/09/2012 16:48

hi everyone i realise this forum is old but i have just gotten letter from my doc to be refered to louglanstown im wondering around how long does it take and are they any improvement ive just been reading all your stories all the best in your journeys lisa :)

# 632

Posted: 26/01/2012 00:24

2012- Another new year, another new diet.

Im really getting down in myself again 2 weeks into my new diet. I dont feel deprived or anything, its just hard to stop the old thoughts surfacing.

Still waiting on a surgery date from Loughlinstown, I reckon this is gonna be my only hope but I have to say that im worried that if im bending the rules on week two of my diet then I may try cheat my way after having the GB. 

Anyway, well done so far to all the sucess stories xxxx Keep up the good work!

# 631

Posted: 20/12/2011 13:08

Well I made a decision and had the surgery done 5 month ago. I now constantly lose weight and that is a fantastic thing finally to see me more and more beautiful every day.. I had GB and now eat small portions, no fizzy drinks, little carbs and... no depression at all :) In 5 month my BMI from 37 turned to 29 - that`s only the start. I had the surgery done for a very good price in Lithuania. Thus I am simply happier now 

Follow your dream.

# 630

Posted: 20/10/2011 09:35

Personally, I would consider slimming patches as a better option than weight loss surgery.

# 629

Posted: 28/07/2011 11:49

Hey all I hope you are well? Just an update I'm having trouble with VHI and the removal of excess skin, they only cover abdominoplasty after weight loss surgery. Anyone have any experience of this? I had a sleeve a year and 4 months ago, I eat about 400grams at meal times but hunger thoughts are creeping back so I work out hard. How much do you eat? Stressed at the moment so been eating lots of carbs, the enemy!!

# 628

Posted: 23/07/2011 03:14

Jul 2011

The struggle with weight - what obesity treatment, after 6 months of letters from my gp I finally got an appointment with hse consultant regarding my obesity, guess what meet and greet, then he says "this is nurse X" she will take you details ie weight & height, so good luck I will see you in 4 months again. what great advice come back in 4 months.

Guys without help no one can achieve anthing, all we need is a few pointers on what way to go. Getting the correct advice on how to lose weight correctly is very important and essential to healthy living. We all have the best resources around us an we don't realise it. Lord while I was waiting for my appointment with the consultant I had to turn to friends & family for help and encouragement and I lost a few stone.

At one stage I could bearly walk/I could not wear shoes, now I can run on a Treadmill at 6.5km for 40 minutes. If it was not for my friends & family I would not have lost the 7 stone or gotten fitter. I can exercise and breathe again. We place to much faith in people with the words "DR" or "Consultant" attached to their name in the HSE. I thank God for my friends and family because without them I would not be 7 Stone lighter today yes 7 stone - it still does not seem real. I wonder how I ended up in this situation but now who care because I am coming back to healthy again.

Look when I started on my journey I could barely walk at 3km per on the treadmill for 3 minutes. Take small steps and build on them. Each week I grew stonger and stonger got faster and faster. Yes I have had set backs but turn to those with you and you will grow stronger and faster. These people are right there beside you and want to help you. Look to friend and family for support and advice because I can gaurentee you, that we all know some one related or close to us involve in a sport of some sort and they know the right and wrong way to exercise. It is all about support and the correct advice.

The surgery treatments that were being offer to me 8 months ago to me were  unnatural in my eyes. The old saying we are what we eat. If logic is brought to bare on the situation, if before I started on my new found way of life (of diet/exercise) I could not control the way I ate the portions how the hell would surgery control this for me, I would think I would still try to eating just as much regardless of the size of my stomach. Surgery would not change the way I think or act in regard to food. (This is my personal opionon)

Look if I can loose 7 Stone by eating properly and exercising daily so can anyone. People just need the correct support.

Actually I should also mention the People I work with, everyone in the department I work in have also being outstanding and have always encouraged me every step of my journey. They along with my family and friends know me and how I think and act. They all have stood by me as I have journeyed along, including setbacks. We don't realise the resourse we have at our disposal.

It is the support and advice that we receive that will help us achieve anything.

Note: when I started out I did not set a goal or target weight because I would have been analysising this goal all the way along and would of lost heart if is was not achieving what I had set my self. Don't set target that a way in the future look to small targets, one step at a time, one week at a time. Looking to be 4 stone lighter in 3 month will only put you off.

Once you start on your journey take one day at a time, take pleasure in getting faster at exercising / at going a longer distance & and at breathing easier each day/week. As you jounery along remember where you came from, how slow and breathless you were at the begining of your journey.

We can achieve anything once we put our minds to it.

I have had an extordinary 2 years from giving up the old fags and putting on 6 stone to loosing it and more, all in a slow hard struggle with the help of family/friends & my workmates.

As the saying goes "if I can do it will well so can anyone".

Thank You & Good luck on your journey.

# 627

Posted: 07/06/2011 22:38

skinnywannabe.  my slowed down and picked up like yoyo.  i found the exercise a great help and the protein. i dont eat any carbs, i find they use too many wasted calories. u are doing well with 4stone keep it up.

# 626

Posted: 07/06/2011 11:42

hi DM - well done you! Fantastic loss. I had my surgery in Cork in Jan 2010 and so far I am down 4 stone. It is slowing down though and I am worried that I won't lose more. I am trying to stick to high protein diet and a regulat exercise regime but I am also back drinking wine and I know that probably doesn't help. Also, my hair is coming out in handfuls. Do you have any advice? I am afraid I am going to mess this up after everything. Thanks! 

# 625

Posted: 06/06/2011 22:10

Just an update. I am two years post op now. Had my surgery done June 2009 in Cork.  I have lost 9stone and I am now BMI 23. It is the best thing I ever done. For those wondering about plastics, I had this done just before Christimas and flew through it.  Good Luck to anyone going ahead with surgery and to those who are undecided I personally would never look back. I now feel fantastic. 

# 624

Posted: 03/06/2011 17:43

Hey Everybody, Its been an absolute age since i was on here. Im ashamed to say that i have fallen of the diet wagon so many times during that time also. Im thrilled tho to hear all of your sucess stories so far! You must all be so proud of yourselves xxxx I just want to say a huge well done to all! I recently got the go ahead for the Gastric band op from Loughlinstown. I could possibly be on the waiting list for a year tho. I am hoping some of your sucess stories will answer any of the questions I have. My doc is lovely but there are some things you just need to talk to the operated on about!! Will post again soon xx

# 623

Posted: 03/05/2011 23:06

wow mary 20 stone thats amazing well done you !!! i got my surgery in september in loughlinstown and it was the best thing ive ever done my life has completly turned around all for the better ive lost 13 stone altogether including my weight watchers before the op ;) any one who is thinkin of goin for the surgery all i say is keep fighting and keep believin you will get there its worth every bit of effort and tears sometimes i forget ive had it done as my scars are so small and my insides feel like they always have and the food it took me a while to get used to it and portion size but now i dont even think about it i just eat it and get on with the rest of the day its no longer controling me am in control of it ..... exciting times ahead !!!

# 622

Posted: 03/05/2011 19:42

Hi Mary,

I'm looking into it at the moment and will let you know what VHI say but trying to get info off them is like getting blood from a stone. I also believe they are strict on criteria.

 Also wondering do people look around for plastic surgeons as their artistry? can vary?

# 621

Posted: 03/05/2011 17:09

Hi Irishlad, I am 18 mts post op and 20 stone down so I am hoping to have costemic surgery some time soon and I too am wondering if it is possible that the VHI will cover it. I have been told that as it is follow up to gastric surgery it may be covered but they change their minds daily in the VHI but they did cover my surgery in Galway!!

# 620

Posted: 30/04/2011 15:02

Hi All

Has anyone had cosmetic surgery (Tummy tuck etc) after weightloss surgery covered by VHI?

Thanks