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August 2010 |
Surgeon Hosts party for slimmers...But only serves snacks
Gastric bypasses helped my patients lose 3 tons
 They are the super-slimmers who are felling tons better – after losing a massive 520 stone between them. The thrilled 70-strong group, below, all had gastric bypass operation performed by top weight-loss surgeon Guy Slater and his colleague Shaw Somers.
Among them were 24st factory worker Deborah Fletcher, 50, who now weight 13st 6lb, and PA Emma Law, 39, who was 36st 6lb before losing more than 13st. Guy, above, invited them all to a reunion tea party at the weekend to see how they are coping after the operations, which helped them lose more than three tons – the equivalent of two Honda Accords cars. But only canapés were on offer because the patients are unable to eat large portions of food, while many things, such as high-sugar snacks, are permanently off the menu.
Risk
Guy, 42, a consultant bariatric surgeon who is based at St Richard’s NHS hospital in chichester, West Sussex, says: “Obesity is the crisis that could break the NHS.” “Surgery isn’t for everyone but around 1.2 million people in the UK would be suitable for a bariatric operation. “A gastric band or bypass is not a quick fix, and it is not without risk. “But for many patients it not only helps them lose weight but also helps to treat problems including diabetes, high cholesterol, joint pain and high blood pressure.”
The consultant, who is employed by the NHS but also does private work, adds: “One of the reasons I enjoy performing obesity surgery is because it really does change the live of my patients. It was great to see them all at the tea party and hear how different they are now.”
Each gastric bypass operation costs the NHS around £10,000, and private clients pay the same. It is irreversible, unlike the gastric band op favoured by celebrities including Ferm Britton and Vanessa Feltz. With a gastric band op, a ring is placed around the stomach, creating a smaller pouch at the top. It means patients need to eat less to feel full.
With a bypass, a small stomach pouch is created from the upper part of the surgically re-routed to the small intestine bypassing the rest of the stomach. The bypass op is done using keyhole surgery and patients are allowed back home days later. They have regular follow-up appointments. It has certainly turned Emma’s life around. She said: “I was stuck in a vicious cycle of comfort eating, and I turned to sweets and chocolate when I felt down or depressed. Now I have much more confidence.” Here, we meet three of the other patients to find out how surgery has given them a brighter future.
 Elaine Williams – THE 48-year-old mother of two, an immigration officer from Bracknell, Berks, was a size 32 before her NHS funded op in February last year. She is now a size 14. She says:
‘I knew I had to act when I had some blood tests which showed my liver wasn’t working properly. I had tried all the diets you can think of but nothing worked. I once lost six stone by myself – but I put it all back on. I loved eating crisps, nuts and pies but of those since I had the operation. I used to work as an accountant and I could hide behind my desk, but since losing weight I’ve changed my job, which has given me a lot more confidence. The operation isn’t without risk and is not a quick fix. I had an allergic reaction to morphine after surgery, which wasn’t pleasant. But I was miserable as a fat person. I put on a jokey front and I always made the first fat gag but that was because it hurt less if I said it myself. This operation has changed my life and saved my sanity.’
 Daniel Brookbank : DANIEL, 44, is a GP practice manager from Pevensey Bay, East Sussex. He had an NHS bypass in February last year. He says:
‘My life has totally changed. Before surgery I had sleep apnoea, severe depression, and problem with joints, limited movement, no energy and no confidence. I couldn’t do anything without getting exhausted and sweaty. I was heading for diabetes, heart problems and early death. I was addicted to food in the same way a smoker is addicted to cigarettes and an alcoholic to drink.
SCARY
It made me feel happy and relaxed. I could eat anything; particularly biscuits and chocolate, and I would have large portions. I had tried many diets – almost all of them, in fact – and I even bought diet pills off the internet. But nothing worked. Surgery has saved my life, but it’s no easy ride. Anyone who thinks that this is just a quick fix for lazy fatties is totally wrong. I went through years of depression and then major surgery, which was painful and scary. Since the surgery, I have had complications which have put me in hospital and caused me to call the ambulance three times because I thought I was Going to die from the pain. But now I really enjoy life – I feel younger and I am not going to die early.’
 Sara Reffold : MUM-OF-ONE Sara, 33, from Farnborough, Hants, paid £10,000 to have the surgery privately with Guy and Shaw’s company, Streamline Surgical, in July last year. She says:
‘I wasn’t big enough to quality for surgery under the NHS but I knew I had to do something. On holiday, other sunbathers on the beach would call me a beached whale. And my knees were always aching. You don’t think it’s because of your weight – but since I had the bypass all that has gone. I used to love any sweet or surgery food but now I can’t have anything like that. My weight problem began after I had my son, who is now 14. I went up to a size 14 after he was born and then just kept going up and up.
Since the bypass, I have become more chilled out and I no longer have to worry about people’s reactions when I go on holiday. I don’t have any excess skin now. I think that’s because of my age and the fact that I went to the gym as I lost weight, so that I could tone up. But I am planning to have a breast augmentation because I lost 11in from my bust when I lost weight. It’s nice to be able to wear a bikini on the beach now and to know I’ll fit into a plane seat.’
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