Does NHS cover tummy tuck surgery?

the nhs uk website has very limited information about tummy tuck. has any one any experience with nhs paying for tummy tuck surgery?

This is on the nhs site:

To qualify for surgery to improve your appearance, you must meet specific criteria as set out by your local health authority. The NHS will not pay for surgery for cosmetic reasons alone; however, reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery to correct or improve congenital abnormalities and injuries will usually be carried out free of charge.

In cases where a person is morbidly obese (has a body mass index (BMI) of 40kg/m2 or more) and has lost a significant amount of weight as a result of a controlled dieting programme and/or surgery, such as an apronectomy or adominoplasty (tummy tuck), further surgical procedures may be required to remove excess skin or correct any scarring or other abnormalities. Sometimes, as part of this process, liposuction may be used. Generally, however, liposuction is not available on the NHS.

I want and need a tammy tuck surgery so bad since every attempt to lose weight has failed, obesity runs in my family but I can't afford the procedure.

Have you thought about getting a loan?

I have had several surgeries and three babies. No one told me of the need to excercise after wither of these experiences. Now I have a lower tummy that is embarassing for me to look at. I have no muscle or elasticity and keep gettingturned down for finacing. I am desperate! What have you been able to find out to help you?

I've Gone From 450 to 284 without Gastric Surgery, Now I'm looking at cosmetic surgery abroad.

Part of my problem is financial. Like a lot of other people money for this kind of surgery is an issue. More so due to the fact that my husband is on disability. The weight loss has been a good thing, but now the excess tissue is making it difficult for me to move easily. It gets irriated and there are infection problems due to the decreased circulation.

Another part of the problem is the after-care if I do manage to get the surgery. My husband had a stroke and I am is caregiver. Sigh.

I need advice. I have lost ten stones in weight and need reconstructive body lift surgery the NHS have turned me down so I will have to self finance the lot. I am in the process of sourcing the best deal, unfortunately this will have to be abroad due to extent of surgery and cost.

I have got a really good quote from India. Has anyone been in this position and where have they found has been good. I am worried that if it goes wrong and I am stuck in India what I'll do and whether it will invalidate health insurance I will need to take out. Has anyone used somewhere abroad that is not just competitive but is trusted.

Regards

Heather

Hi Heather,

Going abroad is so much cheaper than this country. In Prague they have some of the best plastic surgeons.

rita x

Hi Heather I have also lost 10 stone But, rather than seeing the corrective surgery as one huge job and one huge cost, I have done it slowly and carefully over 2 years. 1st was a tummy tuck and liposuction Then arm reduction Then breast reduction and list and now I ma looking at having the excess skin from my back, thigh and buttocks removed.

You have worked so hard to get slim and waited so long, a couple more years to get everything sorted and done wont make any difference to you. It is worth taking the time and being safe and secure with a plastic surgeon you can trust, rather then rushing off because something is cheap.

I hope this helps Lauren

Hi Heather,

I was just searching the web site and noticed your post on the forum. I too have been abroad for surgery, although mine was not as intense as yours will be. I went to Prague for liposuction.

I had this done last thursday by Beauty in Prague who are half the price of anyone in the UK. The clinic is pristine, and Europe have a higher standard of health regs than the UK.

As for India, I would honestly say dont do it. Firstly have you checked their health regs?, also what about the language problem you may encounter? I have never heard of anyone going that far for surgery. I would really have a good think about it. What happens fpr recovery? if you get an infection or something? At Beauty in Prague I have the surgeons phone number, and they are always there to help.

Im sorry if i have put doubts in your mind, but i find any surgery out of Europe, in a poor country is a definate No No, plus the heat out there, spreads infection, and would be uncomfortable after surgery. hope this has helped?

It is cheaper there but you can get it cheaper going closer to home. Have you tried Beauty in Prague?

Hope this has been a help. Good luck, Love Natalie.

HI I AM 28 HAVE HAD 2 C SECS NOW I HAVE AN OVER HANG I VISITED MY GP LAST MONTH HE REFERRED ME VIA NHS TO SURGEON AND I HAVE NHS TUMMY TUCK ON 21ST OF MAY SO YOU CAN GET EM

hi im lesley i am 49 i was told by the hospital in norwich i couldnt get a tummy tuck on the nhs even though i lost 5 stone im really depressed over this and feeling down

my name is sam, ive had 2children and have been lefted with a stomach full of strech marks ive been thinking about having a tummy tuck to help get rid of most of them, what are your suggestions

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone can help i have two children, the first was a c section, and the second was a normal delivery, after having my second daughter the bottom part of my tummy hangs and i really hate it, i know my husband doesn't like it either as he never touches my stmach like he use to. I want to know if i have a tummy tuck can i have done referred through my GP, and secondly after having the procedure am i able to have any more children later on in life as i am only 27 and if not why not. I've been looking everywhere for an answer but cant seen to get the right answer

hi im jane im 27 i hav 4 children and a really discusting overhang after having them i hate my body i hate geting undressed infront of my partner and it is geting in the way of my relationship as i dnt like my partner touching me because of it i would love to have a tummy tuck so i can hav my life bak it is depressing me now.

hello, i m interested in the breast reduction surgery which is expensive in the uk however i am so scared of going abroad mainly because of the ‚surgeries one bad aborad‘ on the news. how do u know that things will go well without omplications?

hi im 52 ive had cancer twice but all clear now for 5 yrs however my husband left me 4 yrs ago i met someone 2 yrs ago and im ashamed of my tummy i just am so embaressed about it i went to gp today she told me she would refer me to a surgeon on nhs but i will have to pay for treatment i dont have the money butif i could pay monthly i might b able to get it done Does any one know how much this costs Regards Carol

Hi i really need a tummy tuck after having 3 children and left with a hanging belly and stretch marks,ive just had a consultation with the bmi health care and im waiting for prices it cost me £120.00,this is something i know i have to have done to feel better in myself,bmi told me not to go abroad for this surgery but at the end of the day its the price, mandy any suggestions from any one thanks?

tummy tuck

Hi, Im am so shock about the amount of woman in the same situation as me!! Iv been so unhappy about my gross hanging tummy for 5 years now. Iv just managed to take myself to my GP and he was so great, he could see how much it affects me so he is writing a letter to the health trust, but he did say not to get my hopes up. I just cant bear the thought of having to spend the rest of my life feeling and looking like this, Im only 26!!! :(

Hiya all
I have had 2 children by c-section and after my second i was left with a hernia that started off the size of a golf ball but has got bigger since and recently another one the other end of my c-section scar has appeared, i got referred to a consultant by my GP and i went to see him yesterday, after examining me and noticing my overhanging stomach he has now put me forward for the hernias repaired and a tummy tuck to be done at the same timeon the nhs so this can be done!

hi my name is jennifer im 29 i have 4 children i too have really bad stretch marks and sagging skin i like to exercise but feeling the saggy skin wobble around just really embarrases me and so self concious about it i cant even bring myself to put on a swimming costume i wear baggy t-shirts or tops that are a size or 2 bigger i have also lost 5stone mt doctor has wrote to the hospital i have just got a letter back from them they want to see photo's then they will invite me to attend a meeting fingers crossed they will agree to give me that so wanted tummy tuck xxx

I had my tummy tuck on the NHS 2 weeks ago so far so good, but I had lost 7 stone and kept the weight off for nearly 2 years when i first went to see my GP. This apparently is important as it will not be used as a way to lose weight.

I am finding the aftercare advice very limited though and learning more through searching the net than the non-existant advice from my local nhs hospital

Lesley, by the way, I had my tummy tuck done At the Norfolk & Norwich on the NHS!!!!!

I suggest you see another GP???

Good luck

Hi girls Ive had 2 c-sections and that why I have this gross hangover.Ive had it for nearly 7 years now, Im so low about it and it affects my relationship with my partner alot. So about 3 weeks ago I went to my GP and he was brilliant, he's written a letter to the health trust and I had to send in photos of my tummy, which was not nice. I have no idea how long its going to take until I hear anything back All the woman who have managed to get a tummy tuck on the NHS I was just wondering which areas of the country you all lived and how long it took until you got a reply??

Hiya kirsty,

I only went to see the hernia surgeon who suggested the tummy tuck last monday i live in hillmorton rugby warks so il let you know when i hear anything back, good luck 2 you

Hey Emma Thanks good luck to you too. Iv had a letter back from Somerset P.C.T and they have said although they dont usually fund this type of surgery in a case deemed exceptional they may consider it, and will present my case at the next committee meeting. So fingers crossed.

Hi, I have an overhang on skin on my tummy after having 2 children by c section. My GP referred me to an NHS plastic surgeon a couple of months ago, it went to my local PCT for funding approval, but got declined.
Their reason for declining it was because, even though my BMI is within normal range, it has not been stable in the last 2 years, due to being pregnant!! (my weight has always been stable at all other times) My doctor contacted them to say this was ridiculous – what woman doesn't put on weight when she's pregnant?!! As far as my doctor was concerned, this BMI rule only applied to people who wanted the surgery to correct overhang due to losing a large amount of weight.
However, the PCT are adamant that they won't consider my case until my child is 2 years old (in november) at which point my BMI will have been stable for the past 2 years.
So, my doctor will attempt to refer me again in november, although i am not getting my hopes up. It does seem rather unfair as my condition was caused through no fault of my own due to pregnancy/c section not because I have issues with my weight. So frustrating!!!

Hi girls, Im so glad to have found this page to find that Im not the only one who is feeling the way I am and have bin for the last year or so, I am 19yrs old, I was run over by a car at the age of 9yrs, and a lot happened, so lucky to be here really, but my only problem like all you ladies is that I was put on steroids which made me put on weight, at the age of 13yrs I weighed nearly 17stone, I then started dieting and loosing weight, I have loat 6stone and I think reached a weight where my body wants to remain as nothing seems to be happening, I went to see my GP last year to see if I was eligible to have a tummy tuck on the NHS, they told me that I need to wait another 6months to see if I can maintain my weight wich I did and lost a bit more weight, but nothing seems to be happening, and I sure can't afford to pay for it!

Im 35 years old just had my 4th baby by emergency c section and i have a disgusting skirt of skin that hangs down causing my underwear to always roll down making my scar uncomfortable. Looking at every option to get a tummy tuck as i was also sterilised so dont plan to have any more children do i have a chance on the nhs? or any ideas how i can persuade my gp to try and get me 1 . But will def look into prague

hi im wondering if any one can help me im 23 and was diagnosed with typ1 and 2 diaebets a year ago and went from 22 stone to 15.7 stone and have been left with the most disgusting overhanging belly and want surgery desperatley, how did you get then on the nhs? and has any1 been in my situation does it take longer to heal being diabetic???

please help a deeply stressed girl in lancashire

hello my name is kerry ive been trying to loose weight ive lost two stone but ive got alot of fluid and extra skin from having five children i need a tummy tuck to get a flatter stomach and i was woundering if i could get it on nhs becauase i can not afford it please help me

yours sincerly kerry gillick

hi my name is katheryn im 25 yrs old, i have 3 children, my first one being born via emergancy c-section and my second pregnancy was a twin pregnancy, therefore i put on over 5 stone. i managed through alot of hard work to lose all my baby weight but unfortunantly im now left with a horrible over hang of skin which i cant seem to do anything about. this skin not only hangs over my c-section scar but also my appendix scar . i went to my doctors once asking for there help and was basically told that i was being selfish for even asking and that the nhs couldnt even afford cancer drugs for all its cancer patients and i was asking for help with this. this just made me question myself and i did wonder if i was being selfish by thinking about myself but ive come to realise that im not being selfish just depressed about the way i look and knowing its me that has to live with it everyday and there seems to be nothing i can do about it? im undecided on whether or not to go back to my gps? as i dont think im being selfish as this is effecting my life greatly and everything i do. im sick of being like this and hateing myself all the time, i feel at a loss and dont know what to do to change it?

my gp was the same so i changed and went bk last week and after many tears they told me if i could lose one more stone (iv already lost 5) then they wud put me forward for the op all i can suggest is that u persivier until some one listens!! good luck x

Hi, I have spoken to numerous amounts of people including surgeons and nurses in the NHS, and basically its a postcode lottery for the procedure, although my tummy is really bad after gaining 6 stone with my first pregnancy and losing 7 stone in 6 months after the birth it has left me with very distorted looking belly button and the pouch with lots of wrinkling of the skin.I went to my local doctors surgery friday explained how much it has ruined my life being a single mum and only 22 i have lost all confidence in myself and struggle to do things with the children i.e swimming taking them to the beach. My GP has said that she will write to the PCT (Primary Care Trust) Who basically deal with who gets what funding, but she said it doesn't look very hopeful and like I said earlier where I am single mother I cannot afford UK prices for this procedure. I came across Beauty in Prague and the prices are so much more achievable! and if I get turned down I will definitely be coming here!

hello,

16 months ago i gave birth to my son through c-section, i maintaned my weight well until the last 3 months i ballooned from 12st to 19 stone, i had severe water retention and i also tested high for suger in my blood, and i have recently been diagnosed with diabetes. Since having my son i have stuck to a good diet and exercised 4–5 times a week, with the odd day off. i have lost 6 stone, but as hard as a try my over hang wont go. Ive never cried so much as i have in the last 16 months. Still when i go swimming people say to me „congratulations“ when are you due? i still wear maternity trousers because i cant fastened the waist, and the next size up is too big. Ive tried my hardest to prove to the nhs that i can help myself but i need them to help me too. Finally i got a letter through from the nhs saying i had an appointment for a tummy tuck, i cried even harder because id waited so long and finally it happened. And today i got a letter saying my application had been rejected. 3 months after they said they were going to help. WHY!!!! I hope the nhs have a good counsilling team because there is no way i can afford private. Im a single mum with a full time job and work hard to make ends meet. I could not afford a tummy tuck private. Any body been in the same boat, any ideas on what i could do next? other then a DIY job with my hoover. sarah x

Sarah – I had the same problem in that I was given an appointment to see a plastic surgeon, then it got cancelled because it had gone to my local pct for approval. They rejected it because your BMI must have been stable for the last 2 YEARS. I have been a stable 10.5 to 11 stone most of my adult life, apart from when i was pregnant between Feb and Nov ‚07, but because obviously my BMI would have gone up during pregnancy (something which can‘t be helped as no one can get pregnant and not gain weight!) they wouldn't approve me. My doctor says i have to wait until my son is 2 years old, at which point my BMI will have been stable for 2 years and she is going to try and apply again for me.
I know it's frustrating but they won't budge on the rules, so you need to try and reapply once you've been at stable weight for at least 2 years, which i presume, like myself, will be once your son is around 2 years old.

Thank you Sophie for your responce, it has given me some hope that the NHS arnt just going to shove me under the rug. I spoke with my Gp the other week and he said that, because id lost 6 stone, it shows i have the ability to loose the other 2–3. And by loosing the weight i'll get a better result, and apparently i was also rejected because of my age. But who is to say that after ive lost the 2 stone they will accept me as a suitable candidate. I coudnt bare the thought of my stomach getting any saggier. It currently hangs approximately 3–4 inches to the middle of my pubic bone. As an ex dancer of 18 years and from being very slim, im finding this incredibly hard to deal with. This may be out of turn but i find it very unfair that if you eat yourself fat through whatever reason. they will chuck you on the operating table and slice away the fat, but if you've had a baby, which is one of the most natural occurances and through no fault of your own given birth through emergancy casearean and lost the weight you aquired through the prengnancy(almost) you have to pleed for help. It's a shame. I never expected to be poker thin after having my son, but i didnt expect to be left like this either.

Sarah I know exactly what you mean – it frustrates me so much! I accept there may be people out there who are overweight due to medical issues, but why should someone who is overweight because they can't be bothered to eat healthily/exercise be entitled to free surgery – whereas us ladies who've got this excess skin through pregnancy/c-section distorting our bodies have to fight for surgery. It also annoys me considering the amount of money my very hard working husband and i have paid in taxes to the nhs, compared to someone so overweight it causes medical problems which means they can't work and so have to live off benefits.

Sophie i'ts so nice to know i'm not alone in my thoughts and feelings, seems with out being rude. That if you abuse your body and take hand-outs, you get everything. With out getting the violins out, i too have worked from 14, whilst at school/college ive never been out of work and this is the first time i need government help. But hang on- i have a job, i pay my taxes so consequently i'm not entitled. I'm sure if they leave me for long enough like this i will develope a manic depressive illness trippling my size. But in reality i'm better then that!! So i suppose i will just have to hang on in there like yourself and the rest of ladies in are boat. I understand obesity is a major issue in britain but giving them the easy way out, only makes it more appealing…..eat 10 burgers a week and by the time you get to 30 come and have an operation we will remove the excess 20 stone you have gained and give you a beautiful body. It's like an indirect advertisement to get chunky. pushing us genuin people further and further down the list. Im sure some people reading this maybe furiated but i think i have the write to say the above as i too rocketed to 22 stone through over eating quite a few years ago through one thing and another, through allot of hard work, going to weight watchers and seeing a dietician on the nhs i managed to loose 10 stone which was a very heard and emotional journey. But the help is out there if you want it. Having a stomach staple or tummy tuck doesnt teach you anything, and it's this that feeds are childrens minds….…If mummy and daddy can be like this then so can i " bring on the burger and chips". Is this the message you want to be imprinting on young, impressionable mind?

HI everyone,i believe i must be one of the lucky ones. I have been battling with my weight since I was a child and have been on every pill ,potion, lotion, diet plan and hypnotherapy since ,at my heaviest i was 23 stone but have managed to lose 10 stone without the aid of surgery. I went to my Gp in April and requested that my case be put to the local NHS decisions panel for an abdominoplasty. My GP told me that i had very little chance of getting funding and i left the surgery and sobbed, so i nearly fell over two weeks ago when i got a letter with an appointment to see a plastic surgeon on Oct 5th. I rang my surgery who confirmed that funding had been agreed so now i will just have to wait and see what happens on the 5th OCt. Just cannot wait i would go in xmas day if that was the only day available for my surgery. What I do not know is how long i will have to wait for the op once i have seen my PS in Oct, i guess it will be before the end of the financial year due to the funding aproval.

Surprise surprise I was declined for funding for a tummy tuck Im so p***ed off.

P.C.T doesnt think Im not an exceptional enough case, but when it comes the drugies and drunks they just love to throw money at them!

I pay my taxes and get nothing back and half of the drunks and drugies are on benifits and they get everything on a plate!!!

The NHS is a joke!!!!!!!!!!!

ive been trying to lose weight bt its not shifting,its making me depressed i feel like just dieing, why can the nhs help people like me get a tummy tuck on the nhs.it will change my life and make me a happy person wanting to like,why is every thing got to do with money, i can not aford it, if i could i would pay and not put my hands out and beg for my happyness, but even if u beg u aint going to get what u want, coz the goverment nhs dnt give a s**t, if anyone rich can help me pls help, email me on ateam5uk (at) y­ahoo.co.uk, the uk has become a joke 4 the british people,its become no no no no no 4 them and nun brits ye yes yes. what a joke

i had a very bad time in labour with my sceond child which led me to have a emergency c-section 4 months later am left with a very ugle belly its so hard above my belly button i still look like am 5 months pregent and i feel very depressed through this it has messed my life up completely..i have though of tummy tuck but 2 be honst i am so young for suming like this am scared to think i may have to go through this just to feel a young sexy ladie again..this is the fact that the hosptial has messed up 2 why i had to have this done..

HI has anyone had a tummy tuck that has had previous surgery and has a large upper abdo scar? i had a cholecystectomy 18years ago and have a large 9in scar on my upper abdomen which i hope will no affect my suitability for the surgery.
your thoughts please

Jane x

i had a hysterectomy nearly 2 yr ago but has left me with an unsightly tummy i have a bmi of 42.2 but i cant afford to pay for the opperationi work dont smoke or drink and dont have holidays is their help out their for me please

Hi all you girlies with the same problem we all share unfortunately for me though I have no children due to breast cancer six years ago.(took ovaries too.). I also got rejected Twice from PCT for guess what not enough written evidence that Ive tried to deal with this unsightly apron fold I have its bad enough Ive got scars on my breast now a big belly . I also have never been unemployed and paid my taxes i got divorced recently and am needing help this once fat chance they even sent me to mental health to see why its getting me down(urm im even divorced because of my belly). Good luck all of you your gonna need it your right Im not a druggie or pregnant (look it though). It seems the local deadheads who sponge off the state and dont work get it all because i know one thats had the lot and finds it funny.

hiya im christina im 18 years old i have a child and dnt want no more children im woundering would i be able get a tummy tuck on the nhs as it is ruining my life cnt go out with friends swimming fancy dress partys etc dnt let any one see it as its minging and gross! im down and the doctor thin ks im depressed about it all! i have a lot ov extra skin aswell but i dun all my exsizes what your ment to took smliming pill etc and nothing working?x
get bck to me asap im despritex

hi i have lost 11 stone in weight over 4 years, i went to my doctors about having a tummy tuck on the nhs and was turned down, then my doctor appealed against there decision, and after 3 weeks i had a letter back from the nhs saying i could have a tummy tuck done but i will have to wait 2 years to see if i keep my weight stable, and not gain weight again, i have about 18 months to go,–- this extra time i have till i can have my opp iam still hoping to lose even more weight an when my opp has been dont ii can look even better for losing a bit more weight, my start weight was 22 stone and i am now down to 12–13 ,b the time i have my opp i hope to be about 11 stone, i will let you know how i get on --judith x

hi i have ibs and crohans
i went into hospital for a hemicolectomy which they took away 32cm
i have been of work for 4months as since i have had the operation
iam like nine month pregnant i cant wear normal troucers i have to were martinity pants iam sick of people asking me when iam due
it has knocked my self esteem and my confidence is really low
after i had the op i had to go bk to the hospital and the doctor said i wouild have to have plastic surgery so he said to take pics in of me from last year till now so i took them the next day to he doctor that done the operation and he was not intrested so i left the hospital cry
then i had to go back on monday to see him and he was a lot more concered about my stomach this time
and i have got very depresed i will not go out side
iam undre a mental health nures and she wrote me a letter
so i took that a long with me and he said the letter has went good for me
and he was going to write to the plastis surgeon
then on wednsday night i got a fone call from the hospital saying i have got appoiment with the plastic surgeon on the 29th october 2009

I wonder if anyone on the NHS/PCT read these comments maybe they should, then they wouldnt be so quick to judge over who gets what, well its now my 19th month i still have a 50" waste the muscle is still dead as my doctor kindly pointed out, still no luck with any help. 3 stone to loose, putting me at a weight loss of 13 stone, mmmmm! so much excess skin, ive used my slendertone till its death, my treadmil till its last tread yet still apparently i havent proved myself yet along with funding issues.
so ive taken the drastic step of contacting channel four to be considered for fat camp-i will get this 3 stone off and I will get this tummy tuck!! Im sick of wearing fat pants, constantly pullin up my trousers, hiding my builders crack, im all cried out, financialy broke because i cant face work i too get asked when im due, when i go shopping i still have to shop in maternity wear because my stomach pertrudes out so much, im 25 and feel and look as ruff as someone who has had a months binge on vodka!!!

you have done realy well, i would like to think they read these links, but as you said they wouldnt be so quick to judge who gets funding and who dosnt,it is realy heart breaking losing all your weight as you and i have then to be let down by our nhs, after all they will be saving alot of money as the slimmer we are the les likely we will need to be hospitalised later on in live saving them thousands of pounds ,,,,,any way sarha hold your head upp high your do it, it took me 4 yrs to get rid of my weight and i am still losing good luck any way love judith xx

Hey ladies, im 22 and have lost wieght which has left me with loose skin, my stomach, arms,even breast! obviously it is depressing me alot,. I would like to get a tummy tuck but the thought of all the scars and possible side affects really scares me so please if anybody has had a tummy tuck please email me or comment back.
thanx

christina

ladies i know how you all feel, but i would like to say that i dont think your weight effects the chances. im a size eight-ten, but i have about 9inchs of excess skin due to the birth of of daughter 10yrs ago. i asked my doctore if i could get it done on the NHS, he refered me to see a plastic surgeon all went well, so i thought. unfortunatly the NHS turned me down, I asked again but yet again they turned me down. My GP was very annoyed with this decision,as he believes i need it done. it does upset me loads. what makes me laugh is that if I wanted a boob job more than likely the NHS would of said yes. The NHS is a joke.
Good luck to everyone xxx

i went to my doctor asked for a tummy tuck on nhs .
was told its only for people thats been very large , and have lost lots of weight , and left with all this saggy skin .
ive had 5 kids , all big babies 10lb , my tummy will never be the same , so matter how much exercise i do .

i went to my doctor asked for a tummy tuck on nhs .
was told its only for people thats been very large , and have lost lots of weight , and left with all this saggy skin .
ive had 5 kids , all big babies 10lb , my tummy will never be the same no matter how much exercise i do .

Hi

I am 45 years old & finding it hard to lose weight. I have been considering a tummy tuck for a long time now, after 3 C-Sections, as I have excess tummy skin which makes me feel depressed when I look at myself in the mirror.

I have enquired here in UK & they won't even consider anyone who is overweight. My BMI is 33 – would you consider someone who is overweight?

Dawi

I have lost over 9 stone and i have been turned down by the nhs to have a tummy tuck… they give no help what so ever to people who have lost a great deal of weight i have gone to the appeal pannel and they still turned me down….very let down by the local pct. any advise greatly appreciated.

know if it will help but it might ----- try telling the appeal panel you are having terrable troble with back ache because the spare skin is pulling on your back, also tell them it hurts so bad in the mornings you have to take pain killers for it ,. but if you do take this course of action you will have to go to your doctors and ask for pain killers so it will be logged on the computer, it will all help to get what you need and want , i hope this has helped, i will have to wait a year now ,i have to see my doctor every 3 months just to get weighed and get it logged on there computer, any way good luck lesley take care judith xx

know if it will help but it might ----- try telling the appeal panel you are having terrable troble with back ache because the spare skin is pulling on your back, also tell them it hurts so bad in the mornings you have to take pain killers for it ,. but if you do take this course of action you will have to go to your doctors and ask for pain killers so it will be logged on the computer, it will all help to get what you need and want , i hope this has helped, i will have to wait a year now ,i have to see my doctor every 3 months just to get weighed and get it logged on there computer, any way good luck lesley take care judith xx

hi just wonted to say well done on ya weight loss ive lost 7and a half stone i was also turned down on the nhs my nurse wrote a long letter saying how it effected my life with my kids and how depreesed i was after appeling against it i got a letter 4 weeks later and had my surgery done saturday the 24th of october 2009 so worth trying again

Hi

I have lost 10 stone in total. 6 and a half since gastric bypass in Nov 07. I was added to the plastic surgery list in Aug 08 and have just received my operation date for 23rd Nov. This has been long awaited for as I was referred 10yrs ago but never lost enough weight. I will update after surgery. Good luck everyone xx

See this pees me off too! It seems that people who have been over weight get funding for tummy tucks when they have already had thousands spent on them for weight loss surgery, But people like me who have never been over weight but have ended up with excess skin hanging off the front of them after having emergance c-sections which is through no fault of there own get NO HELP AT ALL!!!!!!!! The NHS is a joke its not fair at all!!!!! Maybe I should start eating lots of food and get myself really fat then Id get help!!!!!!!!!

Hi everyone my name is charlotte,
I have just had gastric band surgery 4 months ago and have lost 4 stone,
Already my belly is hanging the skin is very loose, i already had a bad belly but its even worse now.. i need to loose another 5 stone yet but my stomach gets infected quite often,
I was wandering if any1 knew weather you can have mre children and also how you go about getting the surgery on the nhs??
As i have paid for my surgery i cannot afford to pay for a tummy tuck thanks….

I am losing weight sloooowly.

Not a diet, it's necessary to create a calorie deficit e.g. if you need 2000 calories a day to stay the same weight, then you eat 500 fewer calories (tailored to the individual, will depend on present weight, height, age and activity levels, also goal weight and time you want to take over it). It's all worked out according to WLR's software.

Now, as I'm losing weight I know I'll end up with a loose flap of skin on my lower abdomen. And also, probably, loose flabby boobs (for most of my adult life was 34C, at my fattest was 44DD).

Big question: I'm 74 now. No chance of getting this done on the NHS. Would there be an age-limit i.e. could I be considered for abdominoplasty in Prague? I don't want it until I've lost more weight – at present 77 kg, aiming at 56 kg. But I do know there'll be flaps of skin left which I'll want rid of.

Answers please!

hi, i have 3 children one of which was a c-section which as left me whith a over hang, also got no muscles at all and always look 7 mths pregnant, i am disabled with a bad back and find it a stuggle with carrying xtra weight round my tummy. the top half of my body is a sixe 12/14 and the bottom half is a 16/18 cos of my tummy! i am so down aboput it all im on antidepressants and i hate it when people ask me when is the baby due!! i got no money to pay for a tummy tuck and wondered if i could have one done on the NHS! can it be done?

Since having my baby 2 years ago which took me up to a size 18 I have now worked hard with diets and nearly back into a size 12 I exercise regulary but have a large flap of skin that hangs on my belly and cant seem to tighten it up or tone no matter how hard I work at it. It realy gets me down and had a breakdown and suffer depression because I hate the way I look I need advice or help as can't bare it anymore

hi girls i have just been reffered by my drs for a tummy tuck on the nhs they have told me that i am serverly depressed so they have given my happy pills but i have been looking on line at pics that people have had tum yucks on the nhs and some of them i feel have not got tummys as bad a i have will keep u all posted

hi there i need some advice. I had a gastric bypass surgery march 2008 on the nhs, i have lost 7 stone and i am having a tummy tuck on 21st jan also on the nhs, When i went for my consaltation i was told by the surgeon that because my gastric bypass scar had been done so high i couldnt have a normal tuck i would have to have a lift which would lift my tummy up rather than pull it down but my scar would be high above my rib cage and very long, I want to see some pictures of this type of procedure, any ideas where i can find some, thankyou

Oh look another over weight person getting all there the help they want from the NHS !!!!!!!!! I have now been turned down twice for a tummy tuck even though I am seeing a counsellor as I have severe low self esteem. And the fact my gross sagging skin hang of the front of me really effects my life! I AM SO P***ED OFF!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

im a 32 year old mum who lost 7 stone after her and have been left with an over hang i caannot settle in relationships any more as it has become such a problem to me.i cant be sexy no more i cant wear certain clothes it has affected me in a bad way.icant get any loans as im on my own and ive got bad credit hisory.ive been to and from my doctors and still gettin no where how can i get any help with this im living like a priest when at 32 i should be out ther with confidence.its really gettin me down.

Hi im 26 years old, i have had 5 children, 3 witch was delivered by c-sections i was 29 stone and oct 08 went in for gastric bypass on the nhs to lose my weight, i have now lost 15 n a half stone and got loads of access skin from where i had my c-section, i have ask my gp bout a tummy tuck n i am jus waitin for a result, if i dont get it i jus woundered wat my next step would be as i keep gettin infections, also wat are my chances of gettin a tummy tuck on the nhs.

i was just wondering if u would be offered a tummy tuck on nhs if u still wanted another childx or would you only get offered when u finished having children

i am now 46, had serious issues with my overhang since i had c.section for child number 4 in 1985.
had 3 normal births after, 1988,1991 and 2002.
begged my gp to refer me for tummy tuck in 1989 and again in 1997….both times practically laughed at and told i wasnt over weight so wouldnt be considered.
had been on prozac on and off for depression since 1987. i divorced in 2000.
met my 2nd husband in 2001 and had our daughter in 2002, he knew i had serious issues bout my stomach, wouldnt undress in front of him etc.
in april 2008 i approached my gp again and told him it was first thing i thought of when i first got up and went to bed, it was an obsession i'd lived with for 22 years.
he agreed to write to pct but not to hold out any hope!
june 2008 pct asked for photos!! would only let gp take them, july 2008 pct turned me down, i appealed and then agreed to see a physchiatrist, he supported that i should have surgery on mental health grounds, turned me down again!!!

in november 2008 i asked my gp if i could appeal again.
the pct said i could appeal against how the decision was reached not the decision itself???!!!!
i thought i had nothing to lose so i opted for the appeal panel, they told me they would write to me beginning of new year 2009, end of feb had to ask my gp to chase them up as heard nothing from them.
finally april 2009 i was invited to attend the appeal panel consisting of 5 members. i broke down before i even entered the room….i was very very distraught but i answered the questions. week later they turned me down again.
i wouldn't recommend anyone to put themselves through that ordeal.
i was so depressed after….i couldnt live with my stomach any longer so took a loan to have the surgery privately. 6,000 and will be paying it off for next 5 years. i am deputy manager in care home for dementia patients but still a lot of money for me but had to feel normal, had some probs with a hematoma but on whole loads happier than before

hi im 17 n i had a babie last year and ever since i have been trying to lose wait but it dont seem to be goin now were my bellie is horrible i hate looking at my self im depressed about my wait im 16 stone and i hate my self for geting this fat i have not to the money to pay for a tummy tuck and i was worndering if the nhs would do it but im scared if they say no. im so unhappy about my wait plz help me . thanks jade xx

I do agree that it looks like if you get a gastric band on the NHS then your more than likely to get a Tummy Tuck,it pees me off as well.
I went to the hosp in April 09,didnt hear anything for 6 months so phoned them,they lost my records twice its been a nightmare,they have been making excuses left right & centre,blaming staff that have left!!
They have not apoplogised at all, I am now looking to have a tummy tuck done maybe in Prague, I feel its the only way for me.
I read some of you have lost loads of weight through a gastric band,but I feel its not fair for people that have lost weight on their own.
If anyone has had surgery with Beauty in Prague I would love to hear from you.x

there are some good gps iv just come home form ten days in hospital after having abdominal plasty after i went to my gp after losing 7 stone through getting diabetes, i am only 23 and cause they didnt control it correctly i lost a lot of weight very fast and became depressed and went to the doctors and asked me to lose another 8 kilos wich i did and went in for surgery 6 weeks after hitting target and i am hugely pleased with the treatment i have received, i had a slight complication my scar is above my bikini line but because of that iv been offered lipo in 18months time to help even out my shape once my scar has settled.

my best peice of advice would be if ur gp wont listen the you need to find one who will! good luck #

nikki

there are some good gps iv just come home form ten days in hospital after having abdominal plasty after i went to my gp after losing 7 stone through getting diabetes, i am only 23 and cause they didnt control it correctly i lost a lot of weight very fast and became depressed and went to the doctors and asked me to lose another 8 kilos wich i did and went in for surgery 6 weeks after hitting target and i am hugely pleased with the treatment i have received, i had a slight complication my scar is above my bikini line but because of that iv been offered liposuction in 18months time to help even out my shape once my scar has settled.

my best peice of advice would be if ur gp wont listen the you need to find one who will! good luck #

nikki

I had my full TT and liposuction on the NHS 2 weeks ago tomorrow after an emergency c-section 18 months ago and my scar was a mess.

It's the luck of the draw really i think…Scotland are much more liberal as far as i'm led to believe. That's where I am anyway.

Good luck to you all though whatever means you choose

Steph

hi i wanted 2 no could u get a a tummy tuck on nhs 4 free as i have tryed to lose weight after my 1st child be 4 i was preg i was a size 14 but after having my 1st i went 2 a size 20 i did not like the way i look i did lose wait after time as i went tho a lot i lost some 1 close but that was from not eating at all i went 2 a size 16 and i got preg agen so my weight back on but went to a sixe 18 but i look at my self and i do not like what i see from where i have lost wait its just excess skin and i have tryed evey think but its there

I can't understand Sarah's post above. It's not written in English. If I – a native English speaker – cannot understand it, how can the people in Prague be expected to understand it either? There are a few normal English words scattered about in the post but the main argument is incomprehensible.

hiya just lookin through and i was just wondering if the nhs covers u wen u go abroad to have a tummy tuck im 17 with 2 kids buh i am lookin for it done wen im 18 in a couple of months any help

hi iv just turnd 20 and i have 2 kids ages 1year and 2 years old
i have this overhang left from my second child and its rely getting me down i wnt get undressed infront of my partner cuz im imbaressed by it and i cant look at my self it makes me feel sick iv lost all my confidance i feel soo down about it and i cant afford surgary do u think i will be able to get one on nhs?

xkatex
sorry about spelling

Hi,
I am so inspired reading your posts about the huge amount of weight loss!! I have 6 stone to lose & I am battling. I have a treadmill & a bicycle which I do use. I joined Slimming World which is a great programme however I can no longer afford to go every week. I went to my GP yesterday I asked her what help I could get from the NHS etc she said nothing I must join WW or SW & get active I don't think she was listening to me! I felt so flat when I came out of her office! I do eat well low fat everything, I drink water, I eat loads of vegs & fruit. I stopped smoking over a year ago and since then I have put on 3 stone I hardly ever have a glass of wine now. I am turning 40 in August & I have to be at least 3 stone lighter by then. So please any advice you can give me will be very much appreciated. Regarding plastic surgery it’s very cheap in South Africa due to the exchange rate. My mum had surgery done in Cape Town it was fantastic, they also have some of the best surgeons in the world.

hi there, i am looking for the nhs to perform a tummy tuck, boob lift and lipo after i had the gastric band fitted 2 years ago i ahve lost a conciderable amount of weight but have been left with a huge hanging lump of fat and flesh that i cant shift around my tummy. and over hang on my hips, i have also noticed a huge change in my boobs where now one is nearly 2 sizes smaller than the other and now shows more since i have lost the weight, my gp said the nhs wont do any ops unless i go down another 4 in my bmi but then they may still not say yes. i am serverly depressed every day i want to cry i feel uglier now than i did hwne i was fat i really cant afford to go abroard again for further surgery

Hi I am 45 and my husband left me 10 years ago with 4 little boys to raise on my own. I have not remarried. I can't allow another man to see my awful belly. I lost 100 pounds since my divorce thinking ok I get the weight off and I can remarry like my ex did. Well it didn't happen because I am utterly ashamed of my belly. Not only was I severely overweight I gave birth to 9 and 10 pound babies and my belly is scared for life. I have a grossly scarred belly that is depressing for me to look at and especially don't won't a man to look at it. I can not afford a tummy tuck if I had someone like nhs to fund it for me it would completely change my life for the better.

Hi, I have an appointment to see my gp on Monday about a tummy tuck and I've become a bit dishearted by reading some of these posts, I would like to know why people are getting turned down for the surgery and wot your BMI is supposed to be….I have lost 3 stone on WW and 7" off my waist, I exercise daily but still have a huge hanging belly, I also have the same problem as most of you that I have let it affect my relationship with my partner….My nurse made the appointment for me after seeing my belly saying that I shouldn't lose anymore weight as I'm ideal at 10stone and that I'm perfect candidate for surgery…..I would like to hear from anyone who has had the procedure is it the surgeon makes the final decision? How long did it take from consulting your GP to actually seeing a surgeon? And also I heard you had to be sterilized, is this true? Any help or advice greatly appreciated for my Monday appointment

I had a bad pregnacy and had a cs and am left with a very big hangover when i sit down it sits on my legs my doctor had a look and reffered me straight to a plastic surgen for plastic surgery i walked in the room and he said straight away yes this part of ur stomac is completly dead skin and agreed it hangs badley but told me becuase my bmi is 38 he wasent even going to consider it he said get the bmi down to 29 and he would do it but to be aware that the more weight i lose the bigger and bagger the dead and lose skin is going to get so i have too lose about 3 stone and put up with this hangover getting bigger and more embarrsasing when i have trs on it looks like a bum at the front its disgusting and this has really knocked my confidence i convinced myself they would do it but no its the same with everything lose weight first and we will consider t so make sure ur bmis low if you want it done .As anyone got that bmi and had it done?

Hi I was wondering if I could get a tummy tuck as the same time as a hysterectomy on nhs? Does any know any thing about this I haven't got cancer . Please help .

all these posts!!…..i had correct bmi, and mental health report to support me having tummy tuck on nhs but still could not get funding. probably because they knew i worked full time in a care home for elderly wiyh dementia, they thought she cant be that depressed to be able to go to work every day. Truth is i have to work, prob if i could of afforded the luxury of being signed off work for months with depression they would of let me have it done on nhs!!!! As i said in previous post i had ened up having to get a loan to go private for the surgery which i will be paying off untill 2015!

Hi I have just been approved for a tummy tuck. I had a BMI of 44 and have lost 9 stone (no stomach staple or bypass) just diet and exercise. I and now have a BMI of 25 and have kept the weight off for 8 months. I had no problem with the GP referal and the consultant was also no problem (no psyccological questions). Part of the referal depends on you having your max weight being recorded by your GP and not just on your own say so!! Total time from seeing GP to operation will be 21 weeks. I hope this has helped. Wish me luck, expected operation date mid May!!!

Hi all, I have been referred to surgeon by my doc and my appointment is beginning of April. Jilly b what area in UK do you live because I have heard its like postcode lottery and also my doc said that surgeons do look for vasy amounts of weight lose and I've only lost 3st but gone from size 16/18 to size 10 but the hanging skin is digusting!!! I hope your surgery goes well and keep us posted!

Hi In answer to your question Dawn I live in Cambridgeshire. I was told that there was only money available for tummy tucks but not for arms and legs (my legs could do with being done but I am put off by the scars) I went from a size 22/24 to a size 10 and lost 9 stone in 2 years. I was quite supprised because my excess skin is not that bad and I am lucy that I do not have any stretch marks!!!!!! The major problem in my area seems to be getting past the PCT once you get an appointment it seems that the surgery is a given. Good luck and keep me informed. I am interested in other peoples experience.

Thanks for that Jilly I only have 4 more days to see surgeon, I'm so on edge!! Will he tell me there and then if I can have surgery or do I have to wait? I really don't know what to expect, thanks for your last post.

WELL I GOT ONE!!!! I can't believe my bloody luck The surgeon wants to see me again in 3 months then it will be around 8wks after. To all those people debating whether its worth going to see a doc my advice is to go and give it a go, its worth a try. There was no real question asked he saw my belly button is always closed and gets infected and blistered and that underneath the skin gets sore. He was impressed at my weight lose because I had done it with a weight watcher diet and exercise. I didn't think I had a hope in hell but I was so wrong.

Well done It was also easier than I thought, non of that mental stuff! it is now just a waiting game. Let me know how you get on and I will keep you informed of my progress. Jill