Before & after patient weight loss stories

Julie Stansfield - Gastric Bypass Patient

"I wish I'd had my bypass years ago!"

Before

From shy and reserved to the outgoing Mayor of her town, Julie's only regret is waiting so long for surgery.

Julie's weight problems started when she was young. They got progressively worse after she got married and had two children.

She explains: "I tried every diet going, including diet pills, but nothing worked in the long term."

After battling with her weight for years, Julie decided to get in touch with The Hospital Group and, in May 2008, she underwent a gastric bypass.

Julie said: "I am sure that if I hadn't lost the weight, I'd be suffering from diabetes and heart problems by now.

That feeling of dread I used to have when I was invited to something and knew I'd have to try and desperately find an outfit has gone. For the first time in my adult life, I actually like the person I am."

Julie is now Mayor of Todmorden, West Yorkshire, and is planning on doing a charity sky dive. She says "It is by no means a quick fix, and you really do have to change your lifestyle completely, but I will never look back."

Julie has now lost over 9 stone - most of it in the first year.  She looks fantastic, but losing a lot of weight quickly can leave excess skin.  She chose to have a tummy tuck to sort her sagging stomach out.  This video was taken the day after surge

ry - Julie tells her story and also shows before and after pictures.