Amy*, 41, a busy mum of three teenagers from Belfast, grew more and more despondent about her weight and had tried every diet going over the years. At over 21 stone (133 kg) and 5 foot 4 inches tall, Amy’s BMI showed she was clinically obese. She grew fearful that her excess weight could cause serious health issues in the future. Wanting to reduce her weight for good, Amy began looking into more permanent diet options and is now recovering after weight loss surgery at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough.
“I feel lucky that I have taken this big step on my health journey…I’m most looking forward to keeping up with my teenagers and feeling back to myself again. I’m so grateful to the team at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough for their care and kindness throughout my journey.”
Amy, Gastric sleeve patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough
She says: “I’d always been sporty and enjoyed fitness and running. I’ve even run marathons in the past in Belfast where I live. When I fell pregnant with my first child, I gained some weight which was perfectly normal, but after each pregnancy I put on several more stone and it was becoming impossible to lose a significant amount of weight and keep it off. My clothes size was getting bigger and I didn’t feel like myself anymore.
“Over the years I’ve tried every diet going from slimming clubs, keto, low carb and looking at therapy for food addiction. I’d always start out well by losing a few stone, but it takes a lot of effort to maintain. At 21 stones at my heaviest it became very difficult to exercise as I felt too heavy or lacked the energy I needed to keep fit. My children are teens now and enjoy going to the gym and working out. I wanted to be able to join them and spend time getting fit together but felt my size was holding me back.
“I also began worrying about my health more and more as the children got older. I was very scared that I might develop obesity related conditions and not be the mum I wanted to be. My goal was to be able to move more freely and be the best version of myself for my family.
“After seeing a counsellor to process some grief and trauma I’d experienced, I realised I’d been using food for comfort for many years and needed to do something more long-term to keep the weight off. It was then that I started thinking about bariatric surgery. I’d read about how a gastric sleeve can help people to lose weight by making you feel fuller as your stomach size is reduced so you eat less and lose weight. I knew it wouldn’t be an easy journey, but I felt prepared and ready to commit to something long-term. It was then that I started looking into private gastric sleeve surgery.
“I wanted surgery closer to home with someone there if I needed support after. After some online searches, I discovered Mr Peter Vasas, a Bariatric Consultant at Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group. He offered private weight loss surgery in Barlborough, Derbyshire, and had excellent credentials.
Amy, Gastric sleeve patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough
“The thought of going abroad for weight loss surgery terrified me, even though the prices looked cheaper than in the UK. I wanted surgery closer to home with someone there if I needed support after. After some online searches, I discovered Mr Peter Vasas, a Bariatric Consultant at Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group. He offered private weight loss surgery in Barlborough, Derbyshire, and had excellent credentials. He’s also written a very interesting paper about the benefits of gastric surgery which convinced me to make an appointment with him. I called the team and was booked in for a private consultation in December.
“Despite living in Ireland, it was an easy journey to the hospital. I flew into East Midlands airport and caught the train up to see Mr Vasas at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough.
“The initial consultation was really reassuring. Mr Vasas was excellent and talked me through the procedure and discussed what I wanted to gain from the surgery. It felt the right decision for me and my family. I also liked the clear pricing Practice Plus Group offered and it was much cheaper than other UK providers – plus you pay one price for all the appointments and treatment. I found the team were very professional and quick to respond to any queries I had. I was booked in a month later to have gastric sleeve surgery and my gall bladder removed.
“To prepare for the surgery, I went on a special liver reduction diet, which also took my pre-op weight down by 10kgs. This felt really positive and put my body in the best possible health for the operation. The day before surgery, I flew from Belfast back to East Midlands Airport and caught the train up again. I stayed the night before at an Ibis hotel near the hospital which was a short walk to my appointment the following morning.
“To prepare for the surgery, I went on a special liver reduction diet…this felt really positive and put my body in the best possible health for the operation.”
Amy, Gastric sleeve patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough
“On the day of the surgery, everything went really well. Mr Vasas really put me at ease with his friendly, professional manner. Before I knew it, I was coming round and taken to a private room to recover. I was monitored regularly and sat up in a chair feeling a bit spaced out after the anaesthetic and a little gassy, but Mr Vasas assured me that was all perfectly normal. A few hours later, the ward nurse helped me to walk a little way along the corridor which felt good and put me at ease.
“I slept really well over night and woke up knowing that I’d be able to go home after lunch if I got the all-clear, which fortunately I did. I felt very well and had colour in my cheeks again and able to sip protein drinks and water without a problem.
“I’d decided to stay in the Ibis again with a friend for another night before travelling back to Belfast together.
“Following the surgery, Mr Vasas has arranged for me to see a nutritionist for two years to keep my health on track and help me to re-educate my eating habits. This is a great addition to the service and all part of the fixed-price offered by Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group. I can also get in touch with Mr Vasas with any questions directly if I need to. It’s very comforting to know that nothing is too much trouble.
“Since the surgery I am feeling great. I’m back in my routine of family life and my work, and although it’s still early days I am delighted to be losing about 1lb a day at the moment! I am excited to see my progress and feeling really positive.”
“I feel lucky that I have taken this big step on my health journey and that I was in a position to pay privately. I’m most looking forward to keeping up with my teenagers and feeling back to myself again. I’m so grateful to the team at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough for their care and kindness throughout my journey.”
*Not her real name
