Doctors Dish Out Gastric Band Ops

I had a conversation on the phone with someone in my family the other day, which alarmed me.

I will refer to her throughout as Elaine (to protect her identity).

Elaine has been struggling with her weight for some time. She has on-going health issues that caused her to put weight on and has subsequently been unable to shift it for sustained periods of time. She is able to lose it but then it creeps back on.

Recently Elaine was referred to the local NHS weight management programme, which she completed. She was also referred to the local NHS for the exercise programme, which she completed. She has engaged with a number of dieting programmes in the past: Slimming World, Weight Watchers, Lighter Life to name a few but has always struggled to maintain the weight after the initial weight loss.

A routine trip to the doctor resulted in a further conversation about her weight.

The doctor asked if she had considered Gastric Band surgery. It is something that we have discussed between us in the past but she dismissed it as inappropriate. Elaine stated that she wasn’t interested in the surgery and doesn’t want to go down that route. She knows this isn’t right for her situation.

The doctor strongly advised that she thought about it and discussed it with family members. She made her an appointment to discuss the options for surgery with a specialist. So the appointment was made.

The reason the doctor pushed for the surgery? It will be cheaper in the long run for treatment.

I am interested to find out, has anyone else had this experience?

It is particularly alarming since not one of the programmes she has been on has looked at her diet and analysed it. Not one of the services have sat with her and looked at what could be changed, tweaked and eliminated/added to the diet to ensure successful, sustainable weight loss. No one has given her the time to listen and find out what is going on for her.

Had they have looked at what she eats on a daily basis, they would clearly see she doesn’t eat very much and when she does, she is full after only a little. They would then advise against opting for the surgery.

Now imagine she has the surgery. Before: she eats very little and is full very quickly. After: she is able to eat far less and becomes malnourished because she can’t take in enough fuel. She becomes ill and has no energy. She ends up going back to the doctors with lots of different health issues relating to poor diet.

All in aid of saving a few quid.

This is someone’s life we are talking about here. This is someone’s health and wellbeing. I am sure there are many people that have had the same experience as Elaine. If you have, or anyone you know has, get in touch.

Why not spend the money on educating people and finding out what the issues are before opting for surgery?

Is this too obvious as a solution?

Tell me your views on this! Email me on: blog@quartzservices.co.uk.

Who do you know that has weight management issues? Who do you know that has been referred for Gastric Band surgery? Please forward this to them. I can help without them needing to go for the Gastric Band surgery.

For those of you out there that have weight management issues, I can help.

I offer the service the NHS don’t.

I will work with you to analyse your daily diet. I will make simple recommendations to help you to make the changes you are seeking. I will support you throughout the changes to make sure you are on track and answer any questions you may have. I will educate you so you can make sustainable changes to your diet and lifestyle. I will listen and I will work with you to ensure success.

Look here for more info on this and other services I offer: http://www.quartzservices.co.uk//products/

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