BACKGROUND

Having lost 4 1/2 stone with a gastric balloon with The Hospital Group in 2008, Tina Malone, Shameless actor and Celebrity Big Brother star, opted for gastric band surgery in March 2010 as the next step in her weight loss journey to help her reach her size 10 ambitions. 

 

6th September - Exclusive on ITV's This Morning!

 

 

ITV's This Morning invited Tina to the show to talk about her fantastic weight loss.  Tina exclusively revealed to Philip and Holly that 2 years ago, a diabetic screening showed her weight peaking at 19 stone 2... that's when she sought help in the form of a gastric balloon from The Hospital Group and started her weight-loss journey.  However, when the balloon was removed she put a couple of stone back on. 

 

The gastric band was fitted in March 2010 has seen her weight drop to below 12 stone already.  The gastric band manages her appetite and helps her to control how much she eats, but as she said you need to eat the right foods too...  She's still losing weight and a comparison of seeing Tina on the sofa compared to herself in Shameless last year showed just what a great achievement she's made so far. 

 

It's an ongoing journey - This Morning showed a photo of Fern Britton now 3 years after her operation.  Tina is aiming at a size 10, as well as improving her health so that she can have a baby with her new husband, Paul. 

 

2nd September - Exclusive in Closer Magazine and Celebrity Wedding!

Tina shared her weight loss story in Closer Magazine this week, with photos showing her in a flattering size 14 dress - pretty good progress, as Tina was a size 26 prior to surgery!  The story is also featured in Closer Online and has also featured in the Daily Mail Online.  Tina said: "I watched an episode of Shameless the other day from two years ago and I look horrific. I look like an Easter egg. Now everything from sex to walking the dog feels different because not only do I have more energy, I feel so much better about myself and my health."  Read more about Tina's Closer Exclusive in our media section.

 

Tina's weight loss is now going really well and she's well below 12 stone.  Her celebrity wedding on 28th August was a great time to celebrate...  She left guests in awe when she unveiled her dramatic weight loss as she married fitness instructor Paul Chase in Manchester at the weekend.  One guest gushed “In her regal cream dress she literally looked half her age and looked tiny after losing all that weight, she really was the most beautiful bride.”  Read more about Tina's wedding in the Manchester Evening News in our media section.  Look out for exclusive photo coverage in the celeb magazines shortly!

 

5 MONTH UPDATE - 11th August - 61 Pounds Lost!

Precisely 5 months after her gastric band procedure and after a few band fills, Tina's weight loss is now going really well.  She's down to 11 stone 12 lbs, which means she's lost a massive 61 pounds or 4 stone 5lbs since she was originally weighed with The Hospital Group prior to starting on her gastric band journey.   

 

Tina is focusing on her wedding on 28th August - good luck - we wish you all the best and can't wait to see the photos!

 

4 MONTH UPDATE - 20th July - 3 1/2 Stone Lighter!

Just over 4 months after her band was fitted, Tina's weight is now at 81 kg or 12 stone 10 means she's now lost 49 lbs - 3 stone 7 in total - since before she had the gastric band fitted. 

 

We have tightened Tina's band to accelerate the weight loss.  The beauty of a gastric band is that you are able to control the weight loss at a safe and sensible rate. 

 

With a big wedding planned for 28th August we know Tina wants to look good and expect her to be under 12 stone by then.  However, our clinicians always put the patient's health first and the gastric band will never be over-tightened. 

 

3 MONTH UPDATE - 9th June

Nearly 3 months after her band was fitted, Tina's weight is at 85.8 kg or 13 stone 7 means she's lost a massive 38 lbs - 2 stone 10 in total - since before she had the gastric band fitted. 

 

Tina is sensibly training 2-4 times a week - this will not only accelerate her weight loss, but also improve her health and ensure better tone/shape as the weight loss progresses for a better end result. 

 

She's having regular consultations with The Hospital Group's specialist dietitians to help on the diet, but also to advise on the training and provide conselling and support using CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) techniques.

 

LATEST VIDEO!!  TINA'S GASTRIC BAND RESULTS AFTER 6 WEEKS!

Compare how much slimmer her face is compared with the first video 6 weeks ago - what a difference already!

 

 

WEEK 10 UPDATE - 20th May

Tina had her 2nd band fill this week, increasing the restriction round her stomach.  It is normal to have a few band fills at first until the right restriction is achieved, but when you get there, it feels great; enabling the band patient to really manage their appetite and food intake and see further weight loss.

 

Tina said "Had my 2nd fill yesterday.  Luv it - feels perfect". 

 

She weighed in at just under 88kg, which is 13 stone 12 lbs.  As well as the band fill, Tina had further advice from our head dietitian on how to manage her weight loss.  Gastric band patients are fully supported by our team of specialist dietitians to ensure correct nutrition for the best possible weight loss results. 

 

From here, we will see another dramatic step in her weight loss journey. 

 

She also appeared in the Liverpool Echo, talking about her forthcoming marriage, weight loss, plans for Shameless and presentation of the famous Clapperboard Awards.

 

WEEK 8 UPDATE - 5th May

A slim and elegant Tina Malone appeared on Loose Women, showing off her new figure and perfect smile.  You can see the difference - well done Tina - keep up the good work!

 

WEEK 6 UPDATE - 28th April

Nearly 2 weeks after her first band fill and 6 weeks after the surgery, Tina is radiant.  She's wearing size 16-18 clothes, where before Christmas she was a size 22+. 

 

Tina says "Everything is better - walking the dog, sleeping, diabetes - it's amazing.  My only regret was not doing this years ago!". 

 

You can see just how great Tina looks in this photo.  We've recorded some video of Tina's thoughts post-surgery - watch this space, it will be posted soon.

 

WEEK 5 UPDATE - 15th April - first Band Fill 

On 15th April, Tina had her first band fill.  This is performed with X-ray to show the position of the band before any fills are made and determine how tight it should be made.  Saline fluid is added to the band via an injection into the port.  After following the liquid and soft diet for a few days, Tina can then go onto a "Nomal" diet, but with the band in place will be eating less of it.

 

WEEK 4 UPDATE - 7th April 2010 1 1/2 Stone Lighter Already! 

Just under 4 weeks after surgery, Tina has lost a total 23lbs!  She's gone from 16 stone 2 to 14 stone 7. 

 

Tina said "I have just binned my wardrobe - about 30 outfits to Oxfam!  I can't tell you how good I feel, the scars are amazing.  I WILL BE A SIZE 10 BY SEPTEMBER.!"

 

WEEK 1 UPDATE - 18th March 2010

Just one week after surgery, how's it gone?  Tina has already lost an amazing 9lbs just 7 days after her procedure.  With the pre-op diet, she lost a further 7lb, making a total weight loss of 16lbs.

 

Tina said "I feel fantastic!  Physically and mentally better than I have in 20 years!"

 

Tina is following a strict post-operative liquid-only diet.  This is recommended to ensure that the band stays in place while the stomach heals after the procedure.  After 2 weeks, she can go onto soft food and after 4 weeks, she'll be eating a normal gastric band diet; but her gastric band will mean that she never wants large portions.  She'll feel less hungry and fuller for longer.  Lower calorie intake means that the weight will keep coming off!

 

VIDEO!!  TINA'S GASTRIC BAND SURGERY DAY!

 

 

SURGERY DAY - 11th March 2010

Tina's gastric band was fitted on 11th March 2010.  Before starting her pre-op diet, Tina weighed in at 103kg (16 stone 2).  She followed a fat-free diet for a week to prepare for the surgery and had lost 7 lbs on this diet before even arriving at the hospital for surgery.  We recommend a calorie-restricted diet prior to weight loss surgery in order to reduce the liver to make the procedure easier and safer for the surgeon.

 

The procedure took around an hour and after a bit of sleep, Tina felt incredible and was genuinely surprised at how little pain there was.

 

WHY CHOOSE THE GASTRIC BAND?

Tina Malone lost a lot of weight with the gastric balloon as you can read below.  However, she found this weight loss difficult to maintain and wanted further support to achieve her "size 10" ambitions.  Although she initally had a fear of surgery and general anaesthetic in particular; conquering her fear of dentists with The Hospital Group has given her more confidence in medical procedures which meant that she could consider surgical options.  She spoke to our surgeons and professional staff plus contacts of her own before making the decision to go with the gastric band.  It was a hard decision, as Tina was nervous about general anaesthetic.  However, speaking to our team of bariatric surgeons, anaesthetists, dietitians and nurses; she was reasssured about making this decision. 

 

The gastric band appealed to Tina as it is adjustable for managed weight loss and ultimately a reversible procedure.  99% of patients lose weight and the average is 40-50% of excess body weight.  Many people lose over 10 stone!  By constricting the top of the stomach, the band essentially works to reduce patients' appetite, helping them to control their food and lose weight

 

Tina Malone has already had a dental makeover courtesy of The Hospital Group, with stunning teeth veneers, plus Juvederm fillers to erase deep lines on her facial skin. 

 

2008 - TINA MALONE LOST 4 1/2 STONE - GASTRIC BALLOON

It was spring 2008 when Tina Malone (Mimi in Shameless) first decided to tackle her weight issues.  She chose a gastric balloon with The Hospital Group.  This really helped to kick-start her weight loss and Tina lost an amazing 4 1/2 stone with the gastric balloon in place. 

Tina shared this with the media iin 2008, saying: "I was desperate, I didn't want to be fat and ugly for the rest of my life. I've spent 15 years feeling fat and ugly.  I want to be slim for my health and for me. So I can look in a mirror in a dress and instead of going, you're great Tina, but you're fat, to look at myself and say you look great." 

Tina says: "I have to accept like an awful lot of people should, I can't moderate. And the problem with eating is, you can't just abstain like with smoking or drinking - everyone has got to eat but the problem is how much." 

Tina tried every kind of diet going over the past 20 years - from Slimming World, WeightWatchers and the cabbage soup diet. 

She says; "I've done them all - I'd lose a stone but put two back on.  I want my partner to say to me you look beautiful, and mean it. And I'm sorry, face facts: being fat is ugly. I'm not saying you have to be a size eight and I'm not dissing size 16 and 18 girls.  What I'm saying is if you are obese, and more than two stone overweight, then you're ugly. That's my opinion and as a fat bird I can say that."

 

THE GASTRIC BALLOON

The gastric balloon is a 7 month programme which enables patients to relearn the habits of a healthy lifestyle and reeducate their dietary habits with expert support so that they can continue the weight loss when the balloon is removed.  This is a non-surgical procedure and Tina chose it due to her personal fears and concerns about surgery. Tina, who is diabetic, opted for a gastric balloon initially as she could remain awake during the surgery. The balloon, which is filled with saline, sits inside the stomach for six months, meaning she can only eat small portions.  Then it is removed.   

 

WHY THE HOSPITAL GROUP?

We are the UK's leading weight loss surgery provider, performing more gastric procedures even than the NHS.  Our surgeons are leading figures within the field and have many years experience on which to base their recommendations on what's right for you.  We include 24 months aftercare (including unlimited band adjustments within that period) and provide specialist dietitians and specialist nurses to support you along the way. 

 

OTHER PROCEDURES

The procedure itself is just the beginning of Tina's weight loss journey.  Once the weight has gone, Tina expects to undergo cosmetic surgery to remove any excess skin and give a sleek body contour. The Hospital Group specialises in cosmetic surgery after weight loss.

Tina has already had the dental makeover with new teeth veneers to give her a beautiful smile, plus Juvederm facial fillers to erase deep nose-to-mouth lines and forehead lines.  As an actor, she wanted to keep her expression and not look too artificial, but the fillers and teeth have made a massive difference and a great result.