Linda Weston
I had my first child when I was sixteen years old. Until then I had never had a weight problem. During this first pregnancy, I gained about two stone and never lost this weight. With each subsequent child I gained more weight which I never lost, and after five children I weighed approximately 16 stone.
I was desperate to lose the weight; I tried numerous diets and did stints with Weight Watchers but every time I managed to shift some weight it would always come back once I stopped dieting.
When I was about 60 years old, the effects of my overweight on my health became more obvious. I developed diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol problems. This made me look for other ways to lose weight.
My daughter had heard about the gastric bypass operation and was going to the support group at St Anthony’s to try and decide if she should have it done or not. I went with her just the once, and decided then to have the operation. It is a decision I have never regretted.
I received every care at St Anthony’s and cannot fault it. However, I prefer to be in a ward with other people rather than in a room by myself – all the rooms are private at St Anthony’s. I did not experience any pain with the operation, nor did I encounter any post-operative complications.
I did find it hard coping with not having any food whilst I was in St Anthony’s, but there was obviously a good reason for this fasting.
I have found the support group a great help, and see many miracles there. With regards to my own health, things have improved greatly. My knees are now never painful and my diabetes is completely under control. My blood pressure is normal.
I never get on the scales these days, and am completely happy.
