Gastric Bypass has transformed my quality of life significantly

Rhian Jones

After

Before

I have always struggled with my weight since I was a teenager. I have tried several diets over the years and never been able to lose more than 3 stones. My weight becomes worse after having 2 children and the iteration in my mobility. Before my Gastric Bypass surgery, my weight was at the highest It’s ever been, nearly 22 stones. At the age of 32, I felt like I was the age of 80. I was not living only existing and trying to get through each day as it comes.

I have several medical conditions Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, type 2 diabetes, Gout, the isolated kneecap(patella) and Arthritis in both of my knees and hips.

The Hereditary spastic paraplegia is a disability that affects my legs. I have very poor mobility and needed walking aid to help me move around safely. Living with this disability is hard enough even when you are at a healthy weight, but with the weight, I was carrying everything felt and was impossible for me to do.

The weight I was carrying made all of my medical conditions worsen very quickly. I was not able to carry on working because my legs had weakened very quickly, and the pain in my knee became unbearable. I would spend most of my days in bed or on the sofa to try and reduce the pain in my legs. My husband had to end his employment to become my full-time career. I felt I was not able to be a mother to my children or a wife because I spent a lot of my time resting. I was missing out taking part in family activities. My mental health was at it’s lowest. I remember feeling like a failed mother and wife.

I had my Gastric Bypass surgery in April 2019. I was really nervous when I started this journey. I was also worried that I would be judged by the nurses and the Dr’s for being the size I was. I was completely wrong, I was made to feel very welcome and was treated with a lot of respect and no judgement. I felt comfortable to talk openly about my eating habits. It was like a breath of fresh air to be able to be honest about my weight and eating habits, without being judged and been made to feel ashamed.

The care I received during and after my surgery was brilliant. The surgery and recovery went ok with no complications. I was looked after well at all times. Also, I live quite far from the bariatric unit and I was a bit concerned that I would not receive the full support that was offered. I was wrong again, I have been given the full support and I know from previous experience if I needed any further support it’s not difficult to access.

Since my operation, I have lost nearly 8 stone. My life has completely changed. I’m extremely happy to say that I do have a life now and not just existing. I’m no longer diabetic, my mobility has improved, I'm still using a walking aid but there is a big improvement. The pain that I suffered each day has now been reduced.

I’m have now returned to my volunteering work and also a part-time student. I’m able to be a mother and a wife I always wanted to be. My children and husband have seen a big improvement in my health and be able to spend time with them and have family days out. I’m a lot more active as I swim 3 times a week. My quality of life has extremely improved and will continue to improve as I lose more weight.

There are not enough words for me to explain how grateful I am and howProf Siba Senapati has changed my life. A year ago if someone would have told me I would be living this life I’m living now I would have laughed as I would never have believed it. I have always dreamed to have a life like this and it’s still hard to believe that my dream came true.

I will forever be thankful and grateful to Prof Siba Senapati and appreciate this new life I have been given.