Last year I was finding it so hard to breathe that I was scared for my life. Just walking around would leave me fighting for air….Now I can run around at work and I walk the three miles to our local village several times a week to meet up with friends. They all say I never stop smiling now.
Alice Leo
Gastric BYPASS, 2021
Weight loss journeys to remember...
Two of our inspiring patients, Chloe Matthews and Alice Leo, were recently featured in a Daily Mail article this passing December, where they had a chance to discuss their weight loss surgeries and how it has completely transformed their lives. We want to shed a little more light on Chloe and Alice’s individual journeys to help with the understanding that weight loss surgery is far more than just losing weight. It is about helping people to get their lives back that they were so close to losing.
Painful Periods and Polycystic Ovaries...
Chloe before her gastric band weight loss surgery
Chloe had gastric band surgery with us at Healthier Weight back in 2018 but her story still proves to be an inspiration today.
Suffering with painful periods when she was around the age of 15, in 2011 they came to a drastic stop along with the growth of excessive and what she described as ‘noticeable’ dark hair across her body. These events later resulted in Chloe being diagnosed with polycystic ovaries.
‘Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs.’
Chloe after her gastric band weight loss surgery
In addition to Chloe having this condition, she was also at an unhealthy weight, both of which making an almost perfect combination towards her developing type 2 diabetes and having a poor mental health. Chloe’s doctor who diagnosed her explained that “being overweight and having polycystic ovaries can reduce the effect of insulin, which normally controls blood sugar levels” hence her risk of diabetes.
She later went on to explain “the doctor told me losing weight would restore the normal function of the ovaries and normal hormone production and so reduce my symptoms.”
With a history of struggling to diet, Chloe decided in order to change her life she needed to act fast so weight loss surgery came as a no brainer. Chloe came to us at Healthier Weight and was advised to have a gastric band which could be altered over time as she travelled on her weight loss journey. Despite some complications surrounding acid reflux (which can happen if the band is too tight), Chloe stayed committed to her life changing decision and after making some alterations, she is now 7st and 7lb lighter!
Not only are Chloe’s periods back on track, she also feels “normal for the first time” with less excessive dark hair and a much lower risk of developing diabetes.
That’s why we do what we do! We are so proud of you Chloe and we hope you continue to inspire others the way you have us!
NO LONGER BREATHLESS...
Alice’s weight loss journey started in June 2021 after her severe breathing struggles were identified by her doctor to be because of the fat pressing on her lungs due to being so overweight. Alice weighed just over 27 st with a BMI of 53.5, 23.5 over a healthy BMI.
‘Weight-loss surgery is not only effective with effective weight loss,’ says surgeon Mr Singhal, ‘it’s also effective in managing health conditions such as heavy breathing. The reduction in fat takes the pressure off organs including the lungs. In the long term this pressure can lead to problems such as obstructive sleep apnoea and in extreme cases, cardiac failure.’
ALICE BEFORE HER GASTRIC BYPASS WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
“I realised I couldn’t ignore this problem any longer and so when he suggested putting me on the NHS waiting list for gastric bypass surgery, I agreed.” Due to such a high demand, the waiting list for this surgery on the NHS could be up to three years so putting her health first, Alice decided to come to Healthier Weight.
Nervous but excited, Alice went ahead with her Gastric Bypass surgery and after just one month, lost almost 3 st!
“For the first few weeks I could only eat pureed food such as mashed potato…. now I can eat half a bagel and a piece of turkey bacon for breakfast, and some brown pasta for lunch and a protein shake for dinner — and I’m full.”
Despite the many benefits the Gastric Bypass has involving weight loss, it does reduce your nutrient intake due to the food bypassing your normal stomach functions. Within the Daily Mail article Alice describes the importance of taking supplements for ‘calcium, iron and vitamins B12 and D’ to ensure that with a lower food consumption, she is still getting all the nutrients she needs. This is something we deem crucially important here at Healthier Weight, with our very own dieticians ensuring our patients get the correct aftercare to continue their weight loss journey in the healthiest way possible.
Alice has lost 8st in total and her breathing is now back to normal, leaving her feeling happier than ever before. ‘Now I can run around at work and I walk the three miles to our local village several times a week to meet up with friends. They all say I never stop smiling now.’
Alice’s story is the perfect example that this really is more than just weight loss surgery – it’s about giving our patients the tools they need to live a better quality of life that they deserve.
