Our Patients Weight Loss Success Stories

Elma Paton – outstanding aftercare! Hi I'm Elma, age 49, otherwise known to everyone as BIG EL. I wasn't a big baby, 6lbs 6oz to be exact. That didn't last long. By the age of 6 the doctor put me on my first diet. And from then on it was the slippery slope. Being Scottish I was brought up on " Scottish Portions" so by the time I was 15 I was 15 stone. Went on a strict diet an lost 4 stone. Got married, split up lost some family members then started piling on the pounds again. Food was my best friend and my worst. I then started on my yoyo diet regime- 5 lbs off, 7 lbs on, 1 stone off ,1 and a half stone on. And it goes on and on. In 2003 I met my partner Dave we fell in love and in 2006 I moved to England. I became so contented that I never noticed my weight balloon to over 15 stone 7 lbs. I am a biker so the nick name BIG EL seemed appropriate. I tried everything on the market to lose weight. Lotions, potions, pills, drinks, shakes, patches, diets, clubs, even illegal stuff off the internet. In early 2008 me & Dave had a talk and we decided the only way forward for me was a gastric band. Louise at Gateway was brilliant, crossed the T's , dotted the I's and made it so easy for me. On Sept 4th I went in for my gastric band. Mr Ackroyd was brilliant and the aftercare from Louise & Andy was outstanding. It was hard to change the eating habits of a lifetime, and even now I sometimes forget but my band tells me when to stop. The day before my op I was 15st 7 lbs was a size 22 Top, and now today I weigh 11 stone 9 lbs and have got down to a 12 - 14 bottom and a 14 top. I was in my 40's and frumpy, Now I'm nearly 50 and FAB. Thanks Gateway Health. I was worth every penny Elma xxxxxxxxx Rachelle Holmes – Grimsby Hi, I’m Rachelle from Grimsby. I had my gastric band fitted over a year ago with Gateway Health. I was 22 st 5 lbs before the operation. My weight was ruining my life, I had no confidence, and I didn’t want to do anything. Boys were definitely out! One year on I’ve lost over nine and a half stones! I’ve got a lovely new partner and we’re expecting a baby! I don’t think that I would have been able to get pregnant when I was big due to my weight. It’s completely safe to have a band and be pregnant. My journey towards becoming a slim, happy and healthy new person would not have been possible without the constant support and education that I’ve had from my specialist team at Gateway Health.   Laura Siddall – Rotherham Granny saves the day. I had my band fitted over a year ago; I’ve lost over 11 stones so far. I had no confidence and didn’t know where my life was going. My grandma came to the rescue and paid for me to have the op. We chose Gateway Health who are based at the Claremont Hospital, Sheffield because of their excellent reputation. Mr Ackroyd who is a leading UK obesity surgeon recommended Gateway as the best. I am living proof of Gateways fantastic results. I now love to dress up and now date; I also have two great new jobs. It’s unbelievable how much my life has changed! Thank you Gateway!       Michelle Jakeman- Nottingham One year on from my gastric band It's now a year on and I couldn't be happier I never thought I would be at this place in my life again but with the help and support from gateway (Louise and Andy) and loved ones i have. The 09/09/08 was the first day of the rest of my life, my start weight was 18st 5lb and now 20/09/09 i weigh 12st 3lb. That's a hefty 6st 2lb. I can now say I am proud of myself. Throughout the year i haven't hesitated in phoning either Louise or Andy if I ever needed anything and the help was always there , I was never made to feel like I was burdening anybody. Most of all in my own head I still kinda thought for a long time I took the easy way out but was never made to feel like this. At every appointment I came away always feeling like I was floating, even on those bad months (because i think we all have 1 or 2) but every bodies words always made me feel like i was only human and to carry on the good work because look how much weight I had lost already. Finally my children (8 and 5yrs) love their new mum. We do so much more together and not just mum on the side watching. We have just done a family fun run of 2 1/2 miles. Not only was i praising the children for finishing, inside i was ecstatic with joy at sharing the experience with them because a year ago I wouldn't have even thought about entering. THANK YOU Gateway.   Jill Hibberd – Worksop Jill Hibberd from Worksop reached her ideal weight with the Gastric band in 7 months. My only regret is not having the band done sooner! Just go for it! It worked for me and it can work for you. Follow the instructions and come to your monthly appointments and you can’t go wrong. I found it so easy. You are never alone, there’s always someone there supporting you. My band has fitted my lifestyle completely.             Suzanne Gregory of Derbyshire     I was told by the doctor that I couldn’t conceive due my weight. I was told that I needed to lose 4 stones. I tried every way to lose weight but with no success. I had the band to help me get pregnant. I lost 4 stones in 4 months and I got pregnant naturally immediately. We now have our lovely baby girl. I must say that the care and support that I’ve had from Gateway is marvellous. I’ve been able to get immediate advice and support at any time that I’ve needed it. I’ve felt and still feel really well looked after. I can’t see how it’s possible to have the gastric band without this level of care and support, I feel sorry for people who have had the gastric band and haven’t had the Gateway experience.

Cheryl Cook – Age 37 of Sheffield. ‘I've had my band put in last summer, I've had really good after care. My Specialist Nurse Louise King has been with me every step of the way. I really didn't expect this level of support, I thought it would be a case of ‘take your money and run!' I was so wrong! I've had excellent aftercare, I've spoken to fellow gastric band people who have had it done with other providers, they haven't had anything even near to care that I've had and I'm still having and they paid a similar price. I'm glad I chose Gateway.   Read the diary of Michelle - one year after gastric band surgery Follow the story of Michelle a Nottingham mum of two as she undergoes gastric band surgery and begins her aftercare programme with Gateway Health Read More....

Diane Fuller of Grimsby: Was BMI 35, currently BMI 27 ‘'I had the gastric band fitted 9 months ago, I've now lost most of my excess weight, I'm nearly at my ideal weight, I'm almost there, not far to go! People I've not seen for a while don't recognise me, I get so many compliments on my appearance now. I feel FANTASTIC! It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. I thought about having it done for a couple of years, my only regret is that I didn't have it done sooner. With the help of the Gateway Team and my partner David I've had no problems whatsoever. The team are always there at the end of the phone and I see them in clinic every single month. They encourage and support me in every way possible.''

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: Type II Diabetes Angina (chest pain on exertion) Hypertension (high blood pressure) High cholesterol 2 previous heart attack These health problems were affecting Paul’s quality of life and he was determined to get medical help to tackle his excess weight because he felt as though it was literally killing him. Paul’s wife, Mandy, was very worried about his health and has been very supportive during the programme. 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 Gastric Balloon programmme Lost 3 stone The Gastric Balloon 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 Gastric 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 Mrs S 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 aftercare 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