Less is More

Created on 15th May 2009

Mum of four Teresa Perks found her life transformed by gastric band surgery

What prompted you to have the procedure?

I've got four children and after every one was born I just couldn't shift the weight so got bigger and bigger as the years passed. I just reached a point where I couldn't face it anymore and was determined to lose the weight.

I saw Mr Paul Super at The Hospital Group. He didn't beat about the bush - he said I was the only one who could make it work and that I had to change my life. The work started with the pre-op diet which you do for two weeks before the operation to reduce your liver size.

How was the experience?

I was very nervous on the day of the surgery as I was leaving four little children at home. I don't like needles so was quite scared of the anaesthetic but the next thing I knew I was out of surgery and back in my private room. I did find it painful but I don't have a very high pain threshold - I've spoken to other people who have not found it painful at all.

How soon did you see results?

The band is adjusted by adding saline and the first adjustment is done six weeks after the operation. But even in that first six weeks I had lost about three stone. The doctor and nurse were really pleased with me; they called me their biggest loser.
Twelve months on from the operation, I had lost about ten stone and then the weight loss balanced out. I've never put a pound on since having the surgery.

Are you happy with the treatment?

I can do so much more with my children. We've got a trampoline in the garden and I'm able to bounce around but before I wouldn't have even been able to get on it. Also on holiday we go swimming and play on the beach - I did those things before but it was under duress because I felt everyone was staring at me.

What's it like living with a gastric band?

People think that having a gastric band is an easy solution, but it's not. You still have to work at it, and watch what you eat. I can eat just slightly more than a child's portion which is apparently what we should all be eating.

I know my body very well now - if I'm uptight then I can't eat very much but if I'm more relaxed I can eat more. There is a list of foods that you are told you probably won't be able to eat, such as pasta, rice and eggs, but I'm very lucky in that I can still eat them on occasions - the only thing I can't eat any more is red meat.

Even though I've lost so much weight, I'm still not brave enough to get the band removed. I feel that if I have the band removed then in twelve months time I will be the size I was before.

Are you planning any more surgery?

I have had a consultation to have more surgery - tummy tuck and breast uplift - because you can't lose that much weight without it affecting your body. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd be having surgery the following week.

CS&AM