Abigail's Story

Abigail's Story

153%

Excess weight loss recorded

Gastric Bypass

13.5st

Total weight loss recorded

Hear Abigail's Story

Why did you have surgery?

Before surgery, daily tasks such as showering, walking the dog, and socialising with friends were just too much.

I felt like my weight was holding me back from numerous opportunities, like new roles, a new job, or socialising with friends. Even taking pictures on holiday, which were meant to capture memories, I would completely avoid. I just felt like I was trapped inside someone else’s body that wasn’t mine.

I had tried various options, including fad diets, detoxes, and Slimming World. I have a whole list of things I’ve tried, but they have all been unsuccessful.

I struggled with my weight from a very young age. The breaking point for me was quite sad, actually. 

I had isolated myself from all my friends and family. I wouldn't visit my family because I was too paranoid about what they were thinking of me. It wasn't the version of me they had ever seen before.

The pain in my lower back and my joints had become such a problem that I couldn’t even walk to the end of my garden path.

That’s when I reached a really low point in my life. I thought, “I can’t go on like this.” It was not just scary for my family and my friends, but also for myself. I didn’t know who I was anymore.

How has life been since surgery?

Now, I feel like a whole new person and I’m able to do the things that I felt like I was missing out on before.

I’m back to my bubbly happy self which had been lost for a very long time. I want to go out and socialise now and I love taking the dogs out and I’ll have gone for long walks and be like, do you know look at me. The best part about living my life now is living the pinch-me moments.

This time last year I would have never gone out and spent a day without being covered in black or wearing a jacket to hide myself. 

Another pinch-me moment was this summer when I wore a dress. The last time I wore a dress was at my prom, which was about 10 years ago.

I’m just happy, really happy. My family is pleased that I’ve had the surgery, and they are more likely to see me now. In fact, they see me a lot more now.

There is one pair of jeans that I’ve kept. They are size 26, and I’ve kept them because when I bought those jeans, I had an absolute meltdown because they were so tight. So, I’ve kept them, and every now and then, I pull them out and try them on to feel the intense happiness and gratitude I now have since they’ve fallen off me.

How was your experience with Streamline?

I chose Streamline because I had already gone through the NHS pathway, and it wasn’t successful for me. You don’t receive the same high level of support that you do with Streamline, and that’s been the deciding factor, as well as why I would recommend them to everyone who’s considering it.

I have absolutely no regrets at all. I want to go on trips and take photographs, whereas before, I would avoid such experiences due to my deep unhappiness.

Now, I feel like I've been reborn.