Healthier Weight Medical Director Mr Rishi Singhal to feature on Channel 4’s Shut-ins: Britain’s Fattest People.
The series follows people whose lives are affected by obesity and the third episode of the series features the story of Samantha Usher who, as a result of her eating addiction, is now 31 stone and has a number of weight-related health conditions. With her first grandchild on the way, she realised that it was time to take action if she was going to be able to watch them grow up.
We’re proud to say that Samantha chose Healthier weight and Mr Rishi Singhal to carry out her gastric bypass, and you can watch what the procedure is all about at 10 pm on the 1st February on Channel 4.
Samantha had been struggling with her weight problem since having her first child over 18 years ago. Like so many others, the first call for help was with her GP and the aim of being offered weight loss surgery on the NHS. We have published extensively on the strict criteria laid out by the NHS to be eligible for surgery, and Samantha found that she was jumping through hoops to try to meet these guidelines. After being in and out of the NHS system 5 times, she decided to go private.
Despite obesity now being regarded as a disease, there is still a stigma surrounding weight loss surgery. Many people still see it as the “easy way out” but when your weight begins taking over your life, there is sometimes no other option. Bariatric surgery remains the most effective way to combat weight-related health problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea and loads more, and will ultimately lead to a happier, healthier and longer life!
About Mr Rishi Singhal
Mr Singhal has been a world-leading bariatric surgeon in the NHS and private practice for many years having performed over 2,000 weight loss procedures. He is no stranger to helping people re-discover their lives and will be giving a great insight as to what the gastric bypass is all about on the Channel 4 documentary.
Working with Samantha, like most of the life-changing work we do, has been hugely rewarding. The gastric bypass is an extremely effective procedure for those with a high BMI and obesity related comorbidities. To see the effects this procedure can have on a person's life, from both a physical and mental health perspective, is very gratifying and is the reason we do what we do.
After graduating in 1999, Mr Singhal undertook a national fellowship in Bariatric Surgery at the Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, one of the premier bariatric centres in the UK. He has been at the forefront of a number of studies in bariatric surgery and has won several awards for his work.
You will see him performing a gastric bypass on Channel 4, but is vastly experienced in all bariatric procedures including gastric sleeve, gastric band, ESG (non-surgical sleeve) and revision surgery.
What is a gastric bypass?
The gastric bypass is a long-established weight loss procedure. Over 30 years it has proven to be safe and effective, delivering both excellent weight loss outcomes and significant health benefits. In fact, for people experiencing health problems associated with their weight, the bypass is generally the best procedure available.
It helps you lose weight by changing how your stomach and small intestine handle the food you eat. Surgical staples are used to create a small pouch at the top of the stomach which makes you feel fuller, faster. The food you eat will no longer go into some parts of your stomach and small intestine that absorb food, hence the name ‘bypass’.
Patients can expect to lose about 70% of their excess weight within 2 years of surgery and those with health problems such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea or reflux disease can expect an immediate improvement in their condition. Often, medication can be stopped immediately.
Register for live Q&A with Mr Rishi Singhal
Mr Singhal will be doing a live Q&A on Monday 8th February to answer all of your questions about the show and anything else you would like to know about weight loss surgery. This will take place at 2 pm and will be streamed on YouTube.
If you’d like to join the Q&A, please sign up below and prepare any questions you wish to ask.
How to enquire about weight loss surgery
At Healthier Weight, we are committed to helping people just like Samantha rediscover their lives. We offer free, no-obligation consultations that can now be done via video link from the comfort of your own home.
If you’re unsure which weight loss surgery is right for you, we will be happy to give you a call to discuss your options. Healthier Weight patients collectively lost over 1000 stone in 2020, make 2021 your year by getting in touch today.