Gastric Bypass before & after
“I found the happiness that I didn’t know you could have.”
I went for my Gastric Bypass surgery January 2022 which has now resulted in me losing a huge 9 stone.
I lived my life with a fake smile. I always put on a front and acted like I had confidence. I pulled myself down to make a joke of the size I was. This was a way to get over how I really felt. I loved going out with my friends, but hated the side of getting clothes to fit me knowing I was the bigger friend when out. I had extreme anxiety before walking into a bar on a night out.
Lockdown came and I went from working as a hairdresser in a salon to seeing no one. I began overeating daily until lockdown ended. Going back to work hit me hard with the pains in my back working 12 hours a day on my feet with the extra weight gain.
I would take my little girl to a play area and know I wasn’t fit enough to run around after her. My confidence was slowly going, and I needed someone to help me out as this wasn’t the life I wanted for me or my little girl. I was still young, so at the age of 28 I had Bariatric Surgery and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
I found happiness I didn’t know I could have even have. I’m more confident, comfortable and can buy any clothes in any shop now, which is the best feeling in the world.
This surgery is the best thing to of happened to me and I will never regret it. It’s not an easy way out, it’s hard some days, but it’s so worth it.
“18 months later I have lost 65kg.”
Before my Gastric Bypass surgery I had suffered with ill health for some time. I gained weight at a steady pace. At my heaviest I weighed 175 kgs. At this point in my life, I was in a desperate state I believed I had no chance of regaining my health and life. Then bariatric surgery was brought to my attention as a possible course of action. After lots of research I decided to contact Mr Toumi. Immediately I found Mr Toumi to be very professional he explained the procedure clearly in a way I understood. Which really put me at ease. I had assessments with members of Mr Toumi’s team, who were also very professional and answered all my questions. My surgery took place in February 2022 and roughly 18 months later I have lost 65 Kg. Thank you Mr Toumi and your team for all the hard work you do.
“I have lost a massive 10 stone and maintained this so far.”
I have always been someone who struggled with my weight since I was a child. Years of poor eating habits and choices, not helped by family members not giving me the restrictions and guidance I needed as a child. There was too much freedom and ‘you must finish your plate’. I spent many years trying various diets as an adult, but nothing seemed to work long term. I often found that I would re-gain the weight lost plus more. I spent thousands on personal trainers which only got me so far and seriously affected my mental health. Not seeing the results of my hard work caused me to give up and I was caught in the never-ending cycle again.
Now at the age of 33, me and my Mam made the decision to do this journey together and it has been the best decision of my life, I wish I had done it sooner. From the minute we enquired with Mr Toumi we were put at ease, he really looked after us both. He never blamed me or made me feel ashamed. He was compassionate about helping and showed genuine care and concern. Being able have my Gastric Bypass on the same day as my Mam has been my triumph. We have been able to support each other with the continuous help and support of Mr Toumi who we have stayed in touch with.
Going in for the procedure was scary and you do have all sorts of thoughts about what is going to happen. But Mr Toumi was there every step of the way to answer any and all questions. I arrived at the hospital at 7am on the morning of my operation, I was talked through what would happen, signed all my consent forms etc. I was taken down to theatre a little after 9am. When I woke up I was in some discomfort from the gas pain which was to be expected which got better each day and only lasted about 5 days. I felt a little sick but this was from the anaesthetic but I wasn’t in a lot of pain. Mr Toumi came to see me after and also the next morning and I was released with all the mediation and pain relief I needed that evening. I took 3 weeks off work as I am a support worker and it is very physical job. I returned to work on light duties for a further 8 weeks to ensure I was properly healed and then had a review with Mr Toumi to see how the wounds were healing. He also scheduled a review at 6 months and 12 months to see how we were getting on.
Since having my Gastric Bypass in October 2021, I have lost a massive 10 stone and maintained this so far. I have been able to do more for myself and do activities that I wasn’t able to do previously due to weight restrictions. Thanks to Mr Toumi giving me this new found confidence and new life, I’m now enjoying activities like theme parks, bungee jumps, zip wires etc. I’m looking to book a sky dive soon too. I can even go on holiday and not be embarrassed by how I look or come home having gained weight from all the all inclusive choices.
I also suffer with Psoriatic Arthritis but since having the Bypass the pressure on my joints as eased massively and I’m in a lot less pain, I still take my medication, but I find I don’t not need to take as many pain killers in my day-to-day life and can focus on the more important things. I’m actually the happiest I have been ever!
“I’ve gone from a size 20 to a size 8. I’m living my best life and I’m healthy.”
After years of yo-yo dieting and hitting rock bottom in an unhappy marriage I ended up obese and desperately unhappy. My mother had died 5 months previous and her cause of death was everything weight related. I knew I had the same eating habits, the gorging of chocolate and fatty foods and hiding wrappers even when I was alone in the house. I’d tried a private diet clinic with shakes and spent £26,000 over 6 years with my weight going up and down. I ended up a size 20 with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and the start of sleep apnoea.
After a close friend had a Gastric Sleeve by Mr Toumi I decided that I would go and have a consultation. I remember being so frightened, but from the moment I met Mr Toumi I believed in him, I trusted him. He listened to me and understood me. I had the Gastric Bypass in January 2021. Mr Toumi visited me before he performed the surgery and eased my anxiety. Mr Toumi has shown enormous support and interest since my surgery. It was a big step, but the only step left for me. I wish I had done it 10 years ago.
Today I’ve gone from a size 20 to a size 8 and I’m back with the love of my life and out of my unhappy marriage. I’m living my best life and I’m healthy and very comfortable in my own skin now. Thank you Mr Toumi, you gave me my confidence and my life back.
“The best benefit is being able to walk into a shop and buy normal sized clothes!”
I have always been overweight and can never remember a time when I did not have to wear baggy clothes or felt comfortable. I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid at 16 years old and knew that although it is not an excuse, weight would be a issue for me for life.
Exercise has always been a passion for me. I completed Bootcamps, Pilates and CrossFit sessions at my heaviest of 22.5 stones! I would try starving myself, shakes, soups and live on chicken and rice all of which would see me lose 2 stone. Feeling like I was doing well I would then ‘treat’ myself to pints of cider and to chocolate. Before I knew it the 2 stone would be back on plus an additional 7lbs. This cycle of bad eating would be a constant battle. I was always starting again on a Monday and by Friday be back to binge eating sweets.
In March 2017 I got a huge shock looking at a photograph of me at an event. I was coming up to 40 in 2019 and decided I had to do something, or my health would start to suffer. I asked my GP surgery if anyone had been successful at obtaining Weight Loss Surgery on the NHS. I was very luck that the practice nurse referred me to the weight and wellbeing sessions held locally.
My journey to Gastric Bypass was a long one. I attended weekly weight and wellbeing sessions to lose the 5% weight needed before I was referred to a surgeon. I did this and then got the magic referral. I was advised that I would need to weight over 4 months for the referral. At this stage I investigated private surgery and attended a talk at The Spire Washington where I met Mr Toumi who explained in detail the different types of surgery available.
Although the journey was long, this gave me lots of time to fully research the surgery, pros/cons and prepare myself with CBT therapy to ensure it was a lifelong change. The surgery is a tool to support long term weight loss, it is not a miracle cure and I know all my time with Mr Toumi and his team made sure I was fully prepared for life post-surgery.
I had my procedure in May 2019, and it was the start of my new life. I had no post-operative complications and to this day I am very lucky to say I have not had any issues at all. I do stick to every rule I was advised by Mr Toumi and the dietician team. I also keep in regular contact with the dieticians to keep myself accountable.
The benefits of this surgery as not just the weight loss. I don’t suffer from joint pain anymore or catch every cough and cold. The best benefit is walking into a shop and buying normal size clothes. Although my bank balance might not agree!
“My health has improved and I don’t have high blood pressure or sleep apnoea anymore.”
I have always been overweight along with an under active thyroid, high blood pressure and sleep apnoea. I needed two new knees, but throughout my life I would lose 5 stone then put 4 stone back on and I just kept going round in a vicious circle. Being referred to Mr Toumi and his team changed my life, they made me feel at ease and always explained everything to me.
With the help of Mr Toumi and his team I started my journey in March 2019 at 19 stone 13lb. I attended meetings with people who were in the same situation as myself and I never felt judged. I had a Gastric Bypass and slowly started to lose weight. I am now 8 stone lighter. My health has improved, and I don’t have high blood pressure or sleep apnoea anymore.
I can go to normal clothes shops now instead of plus size ones. I have been very lucky on this journey as I have had no problems and little to no pain. I recovered quite quickly and didn’t feel as though I’d had surgery.
I cannot thank Mr Toumi and his Bariatric Team enough for the help and support I received. I only wish I started my journey years ago. I have now managed to have two new knees and I have a new life in-front of me. I would definatly recommend a Gastric Bypass to anyone thinking of having the procedure done as it really is live changing.
“I am living life to the full. Second chances do happen!”
I started the weight loss programme with Mr Toumi when I weighed 23st 11lb and decided to have a Gastric Bypass. I followed the programme, lost weight and I felt really positive that I could do this. I really enjoyed listening to people’s stories on the way and meeting new friends. Personally, getting fatter makes you quite lonely, it helped me meeting people with same problems who didn’t judge you.
After the surgery, the staff were asking me to get out of bed and walk around. The funniest thing happened, as soon as my feet hit floor all pain went, and I have never looked back.
As a big girl I would walk in a room with my head held high. However, my life after surgery has changed now forever and I have no regrets. I wish I had done it sooner. I can now do stuff I never thought I could. I can sit in any chair and not worry it will collapse under my weight. I can walk round shops, not just one shop. I can buy clothes off normal rails and not only plus size. I am living life to the full. Second chances do happen.
Thank you to the bariatric team and of course Mr Z Toumi who is a hero in my eyes, for seeing the person behind the obesity.
“I feel part of life instead of someone watching life from the side-lines.”
I have battled with my weight since I was around 14 years old. My best friend became food and this feeling continued throughout my life, never having any self-worth, and not liking anything about myself. I was lucky enough to meet an amazing man at 18 years old who is still by my side today and we have celebrated 26 years of marriage, however, this wasn’t enough to break me away from the food abuse. Looking back, I think I medicated with food. If I kept myself busy eating, I wasn’t thinking and that was powerful.
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at around 40 years old and I was devastated. This diagnosis gave me some answers to the excruciating pain, fatigue and lack of sleep. I knew it would be even harder for me to lose the weight as I wasn’t able to exercise to the same extent. I ballooned to 124kg (19 ½ stone) and was struggling to move comfortably. I was working full time and struggling with my whole day. I had previously been to my GP multiple times and was prescribed Orlistat, Slimming World etc but that did not deal with why I was overeating, so never had any great long-term successes. I would lose 4 stone put 5 on, lose 3 stone put 4 on etc. I think because at the back of my mind I never felt worthy so what was the point.
I began the weight management programme and for the first time ever, Mr Toumi and his team stood at the front and told me and others this was not our fault and we can get help, proper help. I began the the talking changes programme in earnest, this was weekly CBT which really made me look at my behaviours and how I had been using food to cope. I then went to a psychologist who helped me to process what was a very difficult past and for the first time ever I began to feel some self-worth.
I had an appointment with Mr Toumi who explained the options to me and my husband including surgery. There were milestones to meet and processes to follow but I was up for it. Over the coming months I lost enough weight to be able to be considered for surgery and completed the emotional programmes in order to prepare. Not easy but so worth it.
I had a Gastric Bypass. I had keyhole surgery with 5 scars left. I have never been looked after so well in my life, the care from Mr Toumi and his team was incredible and I felt safe throughout. I went home after 3 days to recover at home and within 2 weeks I was up and about. The after care has been amazing, you’re never alone, advice is just a phone call away and regular reviews help you feel in control and feel safe you are supported.
Surgery was perfect for me and exactly what I needed. It has provided me with a physical tool to aid the loss of weight and maintenance as my relationship with food is so different now. However, equally important is the psychological support given before during and after. Your mind is your most powerful tool. The surgery helped me massively put the mind tools into practice.
I now have a future surrounded by love, confidence and grandchildren which I would never have had without Mr Toumi and his team. I can do more, join in with the family and feel part of life instead of someone watching life from the side-lines.
