Life Before the Gastric Sleeve
Samantha’s life before bariatric surgery was a constant battle, but one she didn’t fully realise she was fighting. Weighing 151.2 kg, she was living what she describes as “a sedentary life,” a life where every decision and every moment revolved around her weight. “I didn’t do anything,” Samantha admits. Socialising was out of the question—she didn’t want to go out, and the idea of interacting with others was unnerving. “I had no confidence,” she states. Even simple day trips with her family became overwhelming. “I was micromanaging my life based on what I was able to do,” she explains, constantly worrying about pain and discomfort. Her life was dictated by thoughts like, “Are there places to sit? Is the parking close enough?“
"I was micromanaging my life based on what I was able to do."
Struggles with Self-Image
The weight wasn’t just a physical burden; it weighed heavily on her self-esteem. Samantha was stuck in a cycle—she didn’t like her appearance, so she didn’t put any effort into it. “I didn’t have any mirrors in the house,” she says, only able to look at herself from the neck upwards. Shopping for clothes was out of the question, and she avoided dressing nicely, convinced that people were constantly judging her. “I felt as though I was wearing a mask of who I was instead of who I wanted to be.”
The Turning Point
The turning point in Samantha’s life came unexpectedly. She was in the hospital, needing her gallbladder removed, but no one would perform the surgery due to her weight. A doctor told her that these health issues she was going through could potentially kill her—this was her lightbulb moment. “I never intended to look out for gastric sleeve surgery,” Samantha shares, but that moment of clarity led her to consider a different path. She met with a bariatric surgeon, Rishi Singhal, and after researching for three months, she decided to go ahead with the procedure through Healthier Weight. “Rishi changed my life and saved my life,” she says, acknowledging that she was on a “slippery slope” with her health conditions rapidly deteriorating.
Life After the Procedure
Since the procedure, Samantha’s life has been transformed. “I can walk more than 100 yards pain-free—I walk 10km a day now,” she says with pride. Joining a women-only gym in April, Samantha initially doubted that she would catch the “fitness bug.” But by the end of the year, she was hooked, even completing her first 5km run. The feeling of crossing the finish line was overwhelming: “I cried for about half an hour, I felt alive!”
A Newfound Confidence
Samantha is now training to become a personal trainer, eager to help others on their journey. She no longer avoids socialising; instead, she loves speaking to different people every day. The physical changes are undeniable—“I can wrap a dress that I wore last year around me three times now”—but it’s the emotional and mental changes that have been the most rewarding. “We spend so long when we’re bigger telling ourselves that we can’t, but now we can!”
Enjoying Life and Family
Her newfound confidence extends to every aspect of her life, especially her relationship with her children. “Everything I do with my kids now is amazing,” she says. This year, Samantha is going to Florida, a trip she passed up when her mother was alive because she knew she would be in pain. “Now, it means so much to me,” she says, reflecting on how far she’s come.
Health Improvements and Non-Scale Victories
Samantha’s health has improved dramatically. During her 40-year general check-up, she was less than 1% in all risk categories—an incredible achievement, considering where she started. The non-scale victories have been just as meaningful—spending time with people, feeling confident, and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. For her 40th birthday, she spent the entire month doing activities she never thought possible, from walking along castle walls to beach days. “If I hadn’t lost the weight, I would’ve been sat at home quite miserable with food around me for my birthday.”
Advice for Those Considering Bariatric Surgery
For those considering bariatric surgery, Samantha has some practical advice: “Trust the process because sometimes it will feel slow.” She encourages others to ask questions, no matter how silly they may seem, and to use the tools available, like our app and support from nurses. “Do your research and get the procedure that is right for you,” she advises, reminding others that while the journey isn’t easy, but “is it worth it? 110%.”