"Outpatients area 1 forth valley royal"

I have been on a waiting list since June 2024 for a diagnostic laparoscopy. I received a telephone call last week saying a weekend list was being added for 2 weeks time and would I be available. I discussed this with my work and said I would be. I said on the call I was currently taking a GLP1 medication would this be a problem, call handler was unsure but said to speak about it at my pre op. Attended area 1 at FVRH today for my pre op. Reception staff were professional and helpful both at the main desk and area 1 desk. 

I was called in for my pre op and introduced to the nurse and student nurse. Checklist began and I said I have been taking the GLP1 medication is that a problem. Nurse said it shouldn’t be but asked details on length of time taking and last dose and said they would seek advice. I have taken 3 doses of it, the last one being last week but by the time of my surgery it would be 16 days since my last dose as I hadn’t taken this weeks dose given the pre op and potential surgery. Nurse returned to say we can’t do the surgery until you have taken GLP1 medications for 3 months and then you would continue to take it as normal and have surgery. I said I don’t plan on taking it for 3 months. They then gave their personal opinion on “people taking it that don’t need it” and there doesn’t seem much point to take it to lose half a stone.

I explained I had been prescribed it by a registered pharmacy and went through an in depth consultation with a doctor prior to be it being prescribed. And actually 3 weeks ago at 12 stone and 5 foot 4 according to the NHS BMI chart I am obese so I don’t fit the category of taking it when I don’t need it.

They then went away again to speak to the mystery person for advice who I should add didn’t come and speak to me or ask me any questions. They returned and said yes as said before we will do the operation 12 weeks after you started taking the medication. I explained that I was only planning on taking it for 1 month. Prescriptions aren’t given for any longer than 1 month and after going through a difficult time in my personal life I felt that one month would give me motivation and a boost to get back to healthy eating and going to the gym. I have to add that my laparoscopy is for gynaecological investigations and has nothing to do with weight loss.

I felt it was handled unprofessionally today (not by the student nurse who was professional with his questioning). So perhaps a refresher in keeping personal opinions to oneself might be an idea as well as Forth Valley implementing a robust care plan for people who take GLP1 medications.

The nurse said the anaesthetists are working on this but that the current flow chart is clear as mud in their opinion. In think in 2025 people should be entitled to have the right to do thing’s themselves for their own health and well being without being judged. My GLP1 medication prescribed by a doctor and pharmacist and I paid for it myself for my own self improvement. And now because of this and the trusts lack of education and policy and I will now need to wait on my procedure that I have waited 10 months already for.