For John Hatchman, 45, having a gastric band from The Hospital Group has saved his life. Weighing in at nearly 19 stone, John, from Rochester suffered from severe Type 2 diabetes, having to inject himself with insulin five times a day.
He also had to sleep with an oxygen mask on his face, due to sleep apnoea, which caused him to stop breathing during the night.
Now, having lost 7 stone, and weighing in at 12 stone, John is completely free of diabetes and no longer has to use the C pap machine to help him breathe.
John said: “I’d struggled with my weight for nearly 15 years, and tried every diet under the sun. I have to admit when I put my mind to it I had a bit of success, but just put the weight straight back on as soon as I came off the diet.
“I had severe type 2 diabetes and was insulin dependent. I was injecting myself five times a day with 200 units of insulin. I also suffered with sleep apnoea – which is caused by obesity. I could see the harm I was doing to myself and was just fed up of being fat.
“My gastric band has completely changed my life around- I’ve gone from a 40 inch waist to a 32, and XXXL shirt to a M. I can’t tell you how much better I feel, my diabetes has gone, as has my sleep apnoea – I no longer have to use a C Pap Machine to help me breathe. My doctor is completely astounded by the turnaround in my health.
“I can go swimming, stay awake longer, and even silly things like being able to tie my shoe laces without getting breathless.
“My son is 15 years old, and now I can chase him round and run upstairs. Also, I work as a carer in a children’s home, so being able to move is crucial. I do miss eating bread, and I hardly ever eat meat, but apart from that it’s amazing. It’s not just a quick fix; and you do need to work with your band, but its most definitely worth it!”
