Julie,* 54, from Lincolnshire, was becoming increasingly down about her weight which had crept up to 270lbs (19 stone 2 lbs) meaning she was no longer able to do the things she loved like travel, shopping for clothes and spending time with her husband and three children without worrying about her increasing dress size. A lifestyle of stress and unhealthy eating habits which began when her husband was made redundant 12 years ago, all took their toll on her confidence and her weight.
“From the minute I walked into Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough I felt at ease. The staff must deal with dozens of patients a day, but everyone took their time with me and were so warm and welcoming.“
Julie, bariatric surgery patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough
“I’ve not always struggled with my weight. I used to be a trim and active size 10 up until about 12 years ago when my family and I went through a really stressful period and my weight started to creep up. It wasn’t until my daughter suggested going paragliding on a recent holiday in South Africa, that I realised how much my weight was holding me back, as I was refused on to the activity as I was too heavy. It was then that I decided to finally do something to tackle my weight for good and seriously considered bariatric surgery options online.
Over the years I have tried all sorts of ways to manage my weight – from dropping carbs to fasting and exercise. Whilst these methods worked in the short term, I found that my weight went back on again and I was back to square one. Mentally, my weight was affecting me. I speak at conferences as part of my role as a health care professional in palliative care, and felt constantly judged for my appearance and started to lose my confidence. My power suit no longer fit me and I felt all eyes were looking at me and unable to be the person I wanted to be at work.
At 270lbs at my heaviest, I was beginning to feel a bit like a second-class citizen. I was worried about my long-term health and knew I was not a good role model for my family and work colleagues.
After my holiday, I began thinking in earnest about what to do and what options were available to me. I was aware things like diet injections were available, but they come at a price and can have side-effects – plus I learned they need to be used forever to maintain weight loss. My fasting and controlled diets were not sustainable either. By chance I met some people who had had gastric sleeve surgery, and they told me about their positive experiences. That was the push I needed to do a few Google searches to get my own treatment.
“I’ve not always struggled with my weight. I used to be a trim and active size 10 up until about 12 years ago when my family and I went through a really stressful period and my weight started to creep up. It wasn’t until a recent holiday in South Africa, that I realised how much my weight was holding me back. It was then that I decided to finally do something to tackle my weight for good and seriously considered bariatric surgery options online.”
Julie, bariatric surgery patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough
As it’s an elective surgery I took time doing my research as I knew there were risks and had my family to think of. I considered speaking to my GP to see if there was anything that could be done on the NHS, but knew that the reality would be a four-year process and I didn’t want to wait now that I had made my mind up to tackle my health.
In the media, I’d heard of people that had gone to Latvia or Turkey for bariatric surgery, but the idea of travelling abroad and not having a clinical team on hand afterwards didn’t appeal. So I looked at options closer to home.
After searching online I came across Practice Plus Group Hospital in Barlborough – around 90 minutes away from my home – who offered private bariatric surgery under its Wellsoon service.
I learned that if I went ahead at this hospital, my consultant surgeon would be Dr Vasas, who specialised in gastric sleeve surgeries. I began researching some background on him and saw that he had excellent credentials. Having this information, plus the fact that the surgery would be much cheaper than with a competitor in Hull, was the final push I needed to make an appointment.
To undergo this procedure at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough, the maximum BMI for patients is 40. Knowing I was a bit over despite losing two stone since my South Africa trip, I began to control my calories and lose a bit of weight prior to my appointment so that I would be eligible for the surgery straight away.
From the minute I walked into Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough I felt at ease. The staff must deal with dozens of patients a day, but everyone took their time with me and were so warm and welcoming. After the initial consultation, everything was so smooth and the process made incredibly easy. I was booked in for surgery just five weeks after my first call.
“I learned that my consultant surgeon would be Dr Vasas, who specialised in gastric sleeve surgeries. I began researching some background on him and saw that he had excellent credentials. Having this information, plus the fact that the surgery would be much cheaper than with a competitor in Hull, was the final push I needed to make an appointment.”
Julie, bariatric surgery patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough
On the day of my operation, I arrived early and met with my amazing anaesthetist, who was so gentle and kind and really helped me to relax. The operation went really well, and by the afternoon I was able to walk around the corridors with minimal discomfort as my medication was so well managed by the team. The next day I was a bit tender, but just two days later I was home, not even needing paracetamol.
My clinical team have been so thorough with the aftercare and I’m really clear about what I can and can’t eat while I’m in the early stages of recovery. Initially I am on liquids and will gradually move on to pureed foods. I am in no rush to eat normal foods and just want to take it at the right pace to avoid any complications, as advised by the team.
I’ve not felt hungry so far, although the change is going to take some time to get used to. I’ve had to have a lot of liquid in the first few days, some shakes supplied by the hospital, and I made myself a refreshing coconut water and raspberry ice lolly as a snack to enjoy. Soon I will be able to adjust my meals to pureed food, before moving to smaller portions of regular meals that I cook for my family. I am so happy that I have finally taken control of my weight and will soon start to feel like me again.
I have a list of 30 goals I want to achieve! Its not just about losing weight for me. I want to be able to go out and dance without having to sit down after the first song, wear jeans again and enjoy holidays without feeling out of breath. More than anything though, I want to try and prevent any long-term illnesses and be around for my husband and three children for as long as possible.
Since my surgery I’ve been in touch with another patient that I met in the waiting room who was down for the same surgery as me. It’s great to be able to support each other as we enter this new journey.
I’m a passionate cook and enjoy growing my own vegetables like kale and spinach too. I’m looking forward to recreating ‘stomach friendly’ versions of the food I enjoy on my travels and leading a happy, healthy and fulfilled life again. I’m excited to see where the journey takes me, and even if I don’t reach my fantasy weight again, I know I am setting myself up for a healthy future to enjoy life to the full once more without worrying about my weight.”
*Patient identity protected by request
