Introduction
Simon began looking into weight loss surgery after a routine eye test revealed that he could go blind if he was to carry on with his old lifestyle. He never exercised and found it difficult to control his portion sizes. Simon is recognised as a ‘key worker’ during the Coronavirus epidemic and says that without having his gastric sleeve procedure with Mr Rishi Singhal, he wouldn’t have been able to take on the extra work that is now so important in helping the nation. We would like to thank Simon and all other key workers for their incredible and hard work during these unprecedented times. This is his story…
Life before gastric sleeve surgery
When I was at my heaviest I would polish off big packs of biscuits and crisps in one go. I used to eat 2 McDonalds in one go. I never exercised and had to buy all my clothes 5XL at Jacamo – I had never stepped foot in a high street retailer like Primark.
In the past I have been severely bullied, at work, on the street, it was horrible. It made me unhappy. My sister was concerned for my health and something needed to be done.
The thing that triggered me to start looking into Weight Loss Surgery, was when a routine eye-check resulted in an emergency health check at Oxford Hospital. I was advised that my blood pressure was so high, I could literally drop down at any minute. My health was so bad, I risked losing my eyesight too – which doctors advised was because I drank so many energy drinks. It was a really scary time.
Research into weight loss surgery
Before I contacted Healthier Weight, in 2019 I approached my GP, who prescribed classes and after attending several I was put on a 2-year waiting list for Gastric Band Surgery in 2021.
During one of those classes, someone recommended Gastric Sleeve surgery and I began looking into it right away. After doing my research I found Mr Rishi Singhal at Healthier Weight, I read about him online, watched interviews on the BBC and booked a consultation.
I contacted my pension provider and managed to draw enough out to cover the cost of my procedure and booked a surgery date for 28th August 2019 which was within 2 weeks.
Experience with Healthier Weight
My surgery was straight forward, I remember talking with anaesthetists and then (what felt like 5 minutes later) I woke up. I had some pain for a couple of days, during which I was asking myself “what have I done?”… Since then, I’ve never looked back.
I used to avoid mirrors but now I like looking at myself. I always carry a picture in my wallet of me before Weight Loss Surgery.
Every month on the 28th I weigh myself and speak to the aftercare team at Healthier Weight. They’ve never missed a call and I’m very happy with the aftercare I’ve received.
Life since Gastric Sleeve surgery
On February 28th, 6 months since my gastric sleeve was completed I weighed 87.6kg (13.79 stone), before Weight Loss Surgery at my heaviest I was 177 kg (28 stone) and after my 2-week liquid pre-op diet I was 155.5 kg (24.48 stone).
Since Weight Loss Surgery, I’ve joined a gym – it’s my new favourite hobby! I started 6 weeks after my surgery, exercising for 10-15 minutes at a time. Now I spend up to 2 hours exercising using a combination of treadmills, cross-trainers and resistance weight machines. Once you get into the gym and you start working out, it’s fun.
One of my motivations has always been the Rocky films: Rocky 1 and 2, and Rocky Balboa. I have a personalised playlist of my favourite clips and songs from the movies that I watch while I train at the gym. I talk about Rocky so often, my colleagues are fed up of hearing it!
After my surgery I went on a cruise around Barbados, it was a once in a lifetime trip and I surprised myself and my sister by doing it. I made a lot of new friends on that trip and 2 of them I have travelled over 100 miles from Farnborough to Scunthorpe to visit twice. For the first time, I feel happy and confident in myself and I look forward to meeting new people.
I haven’t touched McDonald’s, Chinese or fish and chips since my procedure and with all the money I’ve saved, I’m planning a second cruise around the Mediterranean in 2021.
Caring for my elderly Mom
4 years ago I moved to Farnborough to be nearer to my mum and to help take care of her.
My mum has Dementia, she still knows who I am and remembers my name. She keeps telling me “You’ve lost lots of weight”.
Supporting elderly relatives is hard work, my weight loss transformation has given me the energy I need to help her and it’s a reward knowing she sees the progress.
A new lease of work-life since gastric sleeve surgery
In the past, I was bullied in jobs, but now I get nothing but compliments. Weight Loss Surgery has really transformed my life.
I work at Tesco, as a home shopping driver and my work has never been easier. A year ago, I struggled to load a single van without sweating buckets or becoming tired and out of breath, now I fill 10 vans on a Sunday morning and I feel good afterwards.
Key worker through the Coronavirus Crisis
Over the last few weeks, the home delivery department at Tesco has become very busy and I’ve increased my hours from 3 days a week to 6, to help through the Coronavirus crisis. When I was at my heaviest I just wouldn’t have been able to.
My advice to anyone panic buying right now – don’t. If everyone just did their normal weekly shops, there would be plenty to go around. There’s no need to panic!
Advice for anyone considering Weight Loss Surgery
People think Weight Loss Surgery is an easy road. It’s not magic. You don’t wake up thin and you won’t stay thin unless you watch what you eat, and exercise.
I wish I had known what the Gastric Sleeve could do 10 years ago.
Editor’s note: Simon was 55 when he had his Gastric sleeve surgery with Healthier Weight.
Page last reviewed: 27 March 2020