Prior to having surgery in May 2003, I weighed 118kg, standing 156cm
tall with a BMI of 48, and felt very unwell and uncomfortable. My
self-esteem was very low and found I was prone to bouts of depression. I
found it difficult to buy nice clothing and had no energy to play with
my young child.
I decided to have the surgery, hoping to improve my long-term chances of
survival, as I was sick of being unwell. It took me 12 months to decide
to go ahead with the surgery, as I knew I would need to make a life-long
commitment, if I wished to change my life.
As I previously had weight loss surgery which ultimately failed, Dr
Cohen suggested I have a BPD to ensure long-term weight loss, and I
agreed that this would be the best solution for me. The first six weeks
after surgery I found the hardest, as I was in constant pain and unable
to do very much, initially regretting my decision. However, as the
weight dropped and I was able to do more, I am delighted with the
results.
I am now more active, have more zest for life and no longer resemble the
person I once was. My weight now is 64kg with a BMI of 26. Instead of
size 22, I now fit into size 10-12. I take immense satisfaction from the
results and often don’t get recognised by people who have not seen me
for awhile.
I recommend having weight loss surgery for those who are prepared to
follow the advice of Dr Cohen and the Dietician, and don’t be put off by
the initial pain experienced. The results are remarkable and your
self-esteem will improve as each kilo disappears.
