Clair's story

84.8%

Excess weight loss recorded

Mini Gastric Bypass

9st 7lbs

Total weight loss recorded

Hear Clair's Story

Why did you have surgery?

I’ve lived my entire life feeling restricted and obsessed with what food I can eat and what foods I can’t eat. I had tried various diets, including Slimming World and Weight Watchers, but the surgery allowed me to live a more normal life and eat what I want in smaller amounts.

I tried all the diets, took tablets, and attempted various methods, and they worked for a while, but I couldn’t sustain them. If I tried Slimming World, I would stick to it and lose weight, but then I would revert to my normal eating habits and gain it all back. It was a constant cycle of yo-yo dieting, and I just kept getting bigger and bigger. Additionally, I started driving, so I didn’t get any exercise, and my weight continued to increase.

Surgery was the way forward for me

I think it hit me when I went to Butlins one weekend and tried to get on the go-karts. I couldn’t fit in the seat, and I had to give up. I realised I couldn’t go on like this and knew I needed to make a change.

A couple of months ago, I was struggling with the decision to have surgery. It was a significant expense, and I couldn’t really afford it, but I knew I needed it so desperately, and I had to find a way to make it work. That was the moment when I decided I had to take a drastic step.

Life before surgery was marked by depression and self-dissatisfaction. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t care much about what others think. What mattered was how I felt, and I was uncomfortable and unhappy.

How has life been since surgery?

I had the surgery, and it has completely transformed my life. I’m more confident, more outgoing. I can walk into a shop and buy clothes right off the shelf.

My only regret is not having done it sooner.

It’s natural to be concerned about major surgery. I wasn’t worried about making the right decision; I knew it was the right choice for me. My concerns were more about what might go wrong. Thankfully, I had no complications; the surgery and recovery were straightforward.

Life since surgery has been trouble-free. Some people may wonder why I needed it, but it doesn’t matter what others think. I needed it for myself, and I’m extremely pleased with what I’ve achieved.

How was your experience with Streamline?

I chose Streamline because they were a local company, and I work in the NHS, so I had heard good things about the surgeons working in the local hospital.

I did consider going abroad due to the cost, but the aftercare wouldn’t compare to what I could get in England, so I chose Streamline.

As for the aftercare I receive, it’s excellent. They follow up with me a week later, two weeks later, and my surgeon called to check on my progress. I had discussions with the dietitian a couple of times a month initially, and now it’s every three months, with constant check-ins. They provide a contact phone number in case I encounter any problems. I feel well-supported by them.

I’ve been fortunate not to encounter any problems at all; the surgery went very smoothly.