We all went under the knife

There’s always that competitive thing between sisters, isn’t there? So you can imagine how I felt when my younger sister, Sharon, 30, told me she was having a gastric bypass… ‘If you’re having one, so am I!’ I blurted. ‘That’s funny, ‘Sharon laughed. ‘That’s just what Georgina said…’ Gerogina, 37, was our elder sister and we were all big, always had been. I’d tried everything to get slim, even slimming pills that gave you the runs. But by the time my son, Peter, now 8, had started school, I was miserable. None of the other mums spoke to me and I felt lonely and worthless.

So now, in November 2008, when 22st Sharon announced her gastric bypass, I knew I was getting one too. At a massive 28st, I was classed as ‘super obese’, so I could have the operation on the NHS, just like Sharon and 21st Georgina. The ops would reduce our stomachs to the size of eggs, meaning we’d feel full after much less food.

In February 2009, we all went to a private hospital in Chichester, West Sussex. We knew that there was a risk of death on the operating table, so it was an emotional moment when I went down to theatre first. ‘Good luck,’ Sharon whispered. You’ll be fine,’ Georgina waved. By the time I cam round from the three-hour operation, the others had been operated on as well. ‘Do you feel a bit sore, too?’ I asked, as they nodded in sympathy across the ward I still felt hungry, but to my amazement, a small bowl of soup filled me up. Over the next few months, competition was rife. ‘I’ve lost seven stone, ‘Sharon said in one call. ‘I’ am not far behind!’ I said. All three of us swapped tips and commiserated about the fact we couldn’t keep food down sometimes and our hair was thinning.

But, almost a year on, Sharon’s down 13st 7lb, while Georgina and I are both down to 14st. The school mums all wanted to know how I’d done it, so now there’s always someone to natter to when I pick Peter up. Best of all, my boyfriend, Chris, 42, and I are hopeful we’ll be able to try for another baby. Fingers crossed Peter might get to know the joy of having a sister himself. I know I couldn’t have done this without mine. It’s a new start for all three of us.