Our Patients Weight Loss Success Stories

Paul gets a new lease of life at 60.

Paul Bailey from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, had a gastric balloon fitted by Gateway Health 5 months ago and has lost nearly 4 stone. Paul hasn’t felt hungry since the balloon was put in. The only downside was that he felt sick on the first day.

Paul comments “I would recommend Gateway Health 100%. The support I've over the last 5 months has been fantastic. The support programme lasts 12 months and you can always contact them for advice after that. It is money well spent. You can’t put a price on your health.”

Before Paul had the gastric balloon fitted he suffered with high cholesterol and high blood pressure; his cholesterol is now normal and his blood pressure is now much lower. Paul had also suffered a heart attack.

“My doctor said that if I didn’t stop smoking and lose weight then I was going to have another heart attack. I gave up smoking, but I couldn’t lose the weight as I’ve got an under active thyroid and the tablets make it harder to lose weight. I knew I needed something to help me lose weight so I spoke to Gateway Health, they explained everything clearly. I have felt an improvement in my health every step of the way. My doctor is so chuffed with how far I’ve come, and so am I!

I also suffer from osteo-arthritis and before I had the balloon fitted I was going to have a stair lift fitted, but now I can run upstairs! I do sit-ups regularly and most days I take a brisk walk to the shops.

Being slimmer has made me happier, when I go shopping for clothes I can’t wait to get home to try them on. Before I lost weight I used to carry a tape measure with me when I went clothes shopping. I used to feel upset if I got home and the clothes didn’t fit. Shopping is now so much more enjoyable.

I can do so many things that I couldn’t do before. My social life has improved, in fact my confidence has improved so much that I'm now looking for a new partner!!

Jane Taylor

Jane has lost over 8 stone and is changing her life through the Gateway Weight Management Programme. Jane's amazing determination to change her body shape for good is an inspiration to all of us.

She looks and feels fabulous and Jane is so motivated by her achievements that she is now helping others to achieve their health goals in her new toning and exercise studio! All Jane needed was the medical help and support programme to achieve a much healthier weight….and she is still losing weight – watch this space to hear about Jane’s progress in the future.

Paul Hurton

Based in North East Lincs

gastric balloon programme

Paul contacted Gateway back in March 2007. He weighed 17st 1lb with a BMI of 35 and was suffering from a range of serious health problems including:

• Angina (chest pain on exertion)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• High cholesterol
• 2 previous heart attack

Paul was taking 3 different medications to control his diabetes, including insulin injections every day. He was taking medications to control his blood pressure and to manage his respiratory and cardiac problems. Walking long distances was impossible for Paul and if on an incline, he tended to become breathless and experience chest pain. Once, whilst on holiday, he walked 25metres out of the hotel and had to stop because of the chest pain and difficulty breathing. Each day after work, Paul would sit in a chair, often falling asleep during the evening. He had no energy and was becoming more and more worried about his health and quality of life.

Paul saw an article about Gateway Health in his local newspaper and decided to get in touch with and ask for help.

After assessment and a look at the available options, Paul chose the intragastric balloon programme and Dr Asif Naqvi (consultant physician and gastroenterologist) started his treatment on 10th May. After the initial adjustment period while he settled on to the programme, Paul started to make permanent lifestyle changes with regard to food. He followed the key principles of the Gateway programme and was supported by Michelle, (his programme co-ordinator and nurse).

Weight loss with the gastric balloon can be quite rapid to start with – then it usually eases off to a more healthy rate of weight loss. Paul noticed changes in his health problems almost immediately and Paul’s GP, Dr Koonar, tracked his progress carefully, adjusting his medications as the health problems improved – Dr Koonar made sure that Paul’s doses of insulin and heart drugs reduced as the diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol levels improved – otherwise he would have been taking too much and this might have caused other problems.

Paul lost 5 stone and has stopped taking most of his medications. He no longer needs insulin injections and is now easily able to control his diabetes with a tablet. Paul’s weight is very stable since the balloon was removed and he is determined not to go back to the old habits that caused him to be overweight. Paul hasn’t got time to sleep in the chair any more because he goes out to the gym 4 times a week, he goes out cycling and walking and he feels that he has got another chance at life because his health problems have improved so drastically. He also looks younger.

Michelle Kemp

Intragastric balloon programme

Lost 3 stone

The IGB programme was an ideal choice for me because I felt that I needed medical help to reduce and control my weight. I had tried all the usual diets but the weight went back on – often with a bit more!. The procedure to fit the balloon took 15 minutes. Having the gastric balloon has helped me enormously and the support groups have been great. I eat normal foods – just smaller portions – and have the occasional glass of wine. I’m so enthusiastic about the treatment, that I am now working as a programme co-ordinator to help others achieve their health goals too. After I had my balloon removed my appetite and weight stayed stable – I am delighted with the results.

Chris Dunlop

Intragastric balloon programme

 Lost 3 stones 2 pounds

I was 16 stone 7 pounds when I started the Gateway Health programme. I have tried other diets, which worked for short periods of time, but the weight loss was never sustainable. I was always hungry.

I now weigh 13 stone 5 pounds, and find I can do anything without getting out of breath. I have more energy and rarely feel tired! I feel confident about my appearance and much more positive about everything! We meet every month to discuss habits, etc. which is very helpful. I would recommend Gateway Health’s programme to anyone, the results speak for themselves!

Mrs S of Lincolnshire decided to have her aftercare with Gateway Health because she wanted to get the best possible results from her weight loss surgery, after having surgery some time ago she needed some coaching and support as well as band adjustments to enable her to get the most from her band….this is what she says about our standard of care…..

“I had gastric band surgery as my final resort to lose this weight. My weight had been going up every year over the last 6 years and enough was enough. I had to do something about it. I had the gastric band surgery with another company as Gateway wasn’t up and running at that point.

The company I went with wasn’t very good although the surgery went well the after care was very below standard and had very little support. Then a few months later I came across Gateway Health who have been so brilliant with me, even though I didn’t have the surgery with them they still cared for me like I had.

They really do know their stuff and got me back on track and achieving a very good weight loss. They gave me lots of advice and taught me a lot about the band. I am now much more confident about controlling my weight because I know I’ve got the support behind me. "

I couldn’t have done it without them and anyone out there that is thinking of having weight loss surgery should look no further. Gateway Health provides the best care and you will not regret using this company. The nursing team are fantastic and I owe them a lot. My only regret is that I didn’t have my surgery with them as well. I would highly recommend Gateway to anyone struggling with excess weight and considering weight loss surgery.”

• Gastric Band Information
• Gastric Bypass guide
• Gastric Ballon Information
• Weight loss Surgery