what support do the NHS offer for losing weight (i'm about 6 stone over my healthy weight?

Question

I'm really struglging beacuse I can't stick to a eating plan and shift the weight. I'm a size 20 and even that's getting tight.

Answer 1

Your GP will check if there's any cause for your weight other than eating too much cake.

If everything is okay you'll be given a diet sheet and told to lose some weight on your own (usually half a stone) to prove you're committed to weight loss.

Once you lose that weight you'll be offered Xenical or Meridia (Xenical is a fat blocker, Meridia is an appetite suppresent) with a view to losing 10% of your body weight.

Answer 2

I'm 12 stones over my ideal weight and was seeing my doctor to discuss the reasons behind it (I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and she's put me onto a diet clinic, which is basically just more of the stuff we've all heard so many times before.

I only went so they couldn't say I wasn't showing willing but that kind of thing might help some people so ask your doctor if there's a similar group therapy scheme running in your area.

Meanwhile I'm back at the hospital next week for the results of the very painful and protracted blood tests they took to see if they can do anything to ease the symptoms of the PCOS.

Answer 3

My experience is: very little. I get lectured on obesity every time I go to the doctor's, but the only time anyone has tried to practically help was when they offered me slimming pills in the run up to an operation (and even those didn't work). The rest of the time, they just say to join WeightWatchers or Slimming World - which I've done several times, often losing up to 4 stone, only to put it back on again.

I agree with you that some poeple find it very difficult to lose weight (and scientists have shown that the more you weigh the harder it actually is for you ever to lose weight at all), and there needs to be more practical assistance. Not all fat people are lazy cake munching fatties (despite some of the really abusive responses you will probably get to your question on here) and its time folks realised that.

What annoys me above all is that people complain every day about fat people being a drain on resources etc, but yet if you ask about stomach surgery etc to "solve" your just get told "that's risky and should only be considered as a last resort". As someone who has been continually on a diet for about 20 years, I've often wondered if the only way to get someone to take the issue seriously is to keep eating until I turn into one of those 50 stone people, whereupon someone will be bound to do something!

If diets aren't working for you, you could perhaps try the National Eating Disorders Association, who will refer you to an eating disorders specialist. These people are experts at getting to the root causes of the problem, but they don't come cheap (about £50 an hour). They are very good however, and can really give you practical help with your problem - and they don't condone dieting at all. Instead they work with you to devise practical strategies for normalising your eating patterns, and generally improve your relationship with food. Good luck.

Answer 4

Ring your Drs surgery and discuss with the Receptionist who will be able to advise you on what they can do for you. If it's a large surgery, the odds are there is someone that can help you. My Dad was diagnosed as being diabetic and told to lose weight - he was sent by his Dr to see a Nutritionist who was based at a larger surgery nearby. He's now lost 3.5 stone in 15 months. Good luck.

Answer 5

Go to your GP and tell them your concerns - they can refer you to a dietician or nutritionist whp can help tailor a healthy eating and possible exercise regime!! Losing weight is not about going on a diet - it is about changing old eating habits! Therefore you need to learn what is healthy and what is not, and how much you shoud be consuming - this is what a dietician or a nutritionist can do!!

Answer 6

There are one or two medications that can be prescribed, ( I am only happy with one on safety grounds, Xenical). GPs will certainly refer to dietitians. In some areas exercises at local authority gyms can be prescribed on the NHS. Also in some areas there are departments of nutrition, Glasgow has a Professor of Nutrition. Unfortunately they are so busy they will only agree to see patients directly in their catchment areas.

Answer 7

Follow the 80/20 rule, which means eating clean 80 percent of that time period and indulging a little 20 percent almost daily.

Answer 8

Walk daily 30 min in the morning

Answer 9

See if your GP's has a nurse. Ours does and she helps with this type of thing. offering dietry advice and regular weigh ins. Good Luck. x

Answer 10

Also include 10 grams regarding fiber to satiate hunger longer preventing bloating from constipation.