Getting the forms signed - 15th June

I was a bit - well a lot - worried as to whether the doctor would sign my forms. I also needed to get them signed so I could start the plan on Tuesday 19th.

I have been to the doctors twice about my weight in the last two years. I asked to be referred to the dietitican but the GP said I should just see the practice nurse for diet advice. I didn't think she could tell me anything I didn't already know, so I just didn't go. The second time I asked for Reductil but the doctor refused to prescribe them for me saying 'my problem was psychological' so the reductil would make me feel full-up, but I was perfectly capable of over-eating when I wasn't hungry so she didn't feel they would help and instead she would refer me to see their in-house counsellor.

I managed to get an appointment to see a doctor yesterday so went along with my forms. I was sat on the bus having imaginary arguments as to why they should sign my form. I truly believed they wouldn't sign it, dismissing Lighter Life as a fad diet.

This is how my consultation went:

Me: A few months ago I came to see Dr R and asked her to prescribe some reductil for me, as I had piled on the weight and was struggling to lose it, however she refused saying it was a psychological problem and she would refer me for counselling however nothing appeared to come of that as I never received an appointment. She did say the in-house counselling might not be able tio help me though.

Doc: (he looks on computer and reads me out a letter from the counsellor saying that my problems were not in my remit and I should try a slimming club such as Weight Watchers!)!!!!!

Me: Anyway, have you heard of the Lighter Life diet?

Doc: I've heard the name but don't know anything about it.

Me: Well, it's quite a new plan, it's a very low calorie meal replacement diet but you also have a two hour group counselling session every week.

Doc: Come on, tell me more.

Me: Okay, it's a Very Low Calorie Diet so all your meals are replaced by shakes, soups and bars of which you have four items per day. All the items give you all the minerals and vitamins that your body needs to stay healthy. You also have to drink four litres of water per day and they promise if you follow the diet you will lose three stones in three months. You can only go on it if you have three or more stones to lose. However the winning point for me is the counselling, you get cognitive behaviour therapy and transactional analysis, which helps you to identify why you overeat and develop coping strategies, which is really what I need. It costs an arm and a leg £66 per week though but I am prepared to pay it.

Doc: So does that include your food packs and the counselling?

Me: Yes, the counselling is two hours every week.

Doc: Well I have to admit it sounds really good. As the CBT counselling isn't available on the NHS, you'd be looking at probably paying that privately for a two hour session once a week so it's actually value for money! So what do you need me to do?

Me: Well, you have to sign a form saying I am fit enough to do it, and I need my blood pressure checking and my pulse rate recording.

Doc: Yeah, no problem (takes my blood pressure and my pulse, fills in the form and signs it).

Me: Oh thank you so much!

Doc: No problems, let me know how you get on because I will be interested. Can I keep this booklet to have a look through? I've had a lady who is ten stone overweight ask me to refer her for gastric bypass surgery recently, I might recommend this to her in the meantime!

So there you go - how positive a consultation was that? I rang my counsellor to tell her I had the form signed and she said "right, bring it along to group on Tuesday" - so there you go, I am on it. I came out of the surgery on cloud nine because my GP was so positive. I feel there is light at the end of the tunnel after all. I'm looking forward to starting the counselling and addressing my poor relationship with food soon.