I want to share something with you that totally changed my life.
I have spent my whole life up until now feeling like a second class citizen, and that I was born to be the butt of everyone else’s jokes. I have always been bigger then average, weighing in at an amazing 1 stone at birth (my poor mother!). All through my childhood I was the biggest in my class and thought it was ok – I was just like my dad, he had always been obese. Insults would come thick and fast, but I would always laugh them off, or I would say things about my weight first to avoid them.
Going into my teens I was 12 stone plus, and in my endeavour to be normal, I tried every diet ever published (and some that were not!). I spent thousands on the latest diet pill or potion in my 20’s and 30’s, no matter what the reported side effects were. Going shopping with my friends became a chore, and I would only shop for clothes on my own, as I had to visit the outsize stores – by now I was a size 20.
I reached my 40’s weighing 18½ stone, and I read the success stories in slimming magazines, always wishing it could be me. I tried all the slimming classes available, and did an exercise class once a week, but found it too hard work. Nothing worked for me. I was frightened of ending up like my father, who by now had become a couch potato weighing about 28 stone, but I thought it was inevitable.
I heard about obesity surgery and did some extensive research about Dr Ashton and Healthier Weight, and decided to book an appointment. On attending, I was amazed that for the first time in my life I was not made to feel like a freak and a failure. Dr Ashton never spoke down to me – he explained that I was just another person with a health issue, and there was no reason that I couldn’t succeed in beating it. I had my gastric band weight loss surgery 9 months ago and have never looked back!
Contrary to popular belief, this is NOT the easy option. You really have to want the weight loss and work with the band. The surgery was relatively pain free and the recovery very quick as the surgery is done via keyhole. I was very well looked after and given plenty of information and support to help me on my way. By the time I went back on to normal foods 6 weeks after the operation, I was afraid that I would revert to my old habits, but in reality you don’t want to! By the time I had my first band fill and realised how much weight I had already lost, I just wanted to do everything possible to reach my goal.
9 months on and I have lost 53% of my excess weight or over 4 stone. I find that I use a 6-inch side plate for my evening meal, but often can’t finish it! I stand taller and straighter, and my self confidence has grown almost beyond belief. I have gone back to shopping in the high street stores like everyone else, and for the first time in my life I feel normal. I look in the mirror and can’t believe what I am seeing – I no longer feel the need to shy away because everyone is looking and laughing. I do 2 exercise classes each week as well as 3 sessions in the gym itself, and have found that this has toned my body so much that even with all my weight loss there is very little loose skin. Best of all I am no longer heading for couch potato territory!
I strongly urge anyone who is suffering as I did to look into obesity surgery as an option for themselves. I’m now looking forward to turning 50 with my head held high, looking and feeling much better than I did at 40, or even at 30!
Thank you so much to Dr Ashton and his team for giving me the life that I only dreamt of, but thought was for others, never for me.
Beverley
If you would like to speak to Beverley about her surgery experience, call Healthier Weight on 0800 073 1146
