The day after surgery

“Sitting up in bed waiting for my soup! I feel fine, the surgery was straight forward and I can barely feel a thing.

I was warned that I’d be sick after the anaesthetic, but I was fine. Christine, the dietician came to see me telling me what I can and can’t eat and drink. It’s better for the first few weeks to stick to soft foods or soups to allow my band to settle, oh and no fizzy drinks.”

The first month

“I have lost 1 1/2 stone already, Clay (my husband) said that its probably better not to tell everybody about the obesity band, and this weekend we are away with friends, but it’s a hard secret to keep!”

The second month

“I’ve lost 2 1/2 stone now but feel that I’d really like a ‘band adjustment’, I’m still thinking about eating 24-7 and I’m worried about the quantities of some foods I’m getting through.”

“I’ve been on the internet and read up on adjustments, with just a little bit of saline the amount I can eat can be minimised.”"I am also starting an exercise programme with a personal trainer called Marcus who is going to put me through my paces twice a week for an hour. Being fat was a lot easier than all these changes!”

“2 days later, I’ve just had my adjustment and I’m writing this on the train, I’ve just tried to eat a couple of bites of a “yummy” looking burger and already, after one tiny bite, I recognise that “sensation” where my band is yelling at me “Hey! don’t you dare eat anymore”, but typically, I have another bite, and regret it for the rest of the journey, I won’t do that again…..”

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The third month

“My fitness has really improved, I’m swimming each day before I start my work, and running, kickboxing and working out with Marcus twice a week. People are staring now, saying “how well I look”, and I’ve told friends now. It was so hard, as I felt I was keeping a huge secret and guess what? I’ve lost nearly 4 stone!”

The fourth month

“Five and a half stone lost already. I can run around the block without getting puffed. People are really noticing. My obesity band was the best investment I’ve ever made, my legs don’t ache anymore and I climbed up some of the steep roads in Cornwall last week and without moaning and needing to stop every minute.”

The fifth month

“My 43rd birthday today. We are on holiday in Tenerife swimming, boat trips, I’m wearing a smaller costume than I did in Cornwall last month and I’m even brave enough to walk to the loo without draping myself in a huge sarong.”

The sixth month

“The Hospital Group always call up every couple of weeks to see if I’m OK or have any problems, I appreciate this, but I do feel as though my obesity band understands my body and is doing the job without too much effort from me. 7 stone off now (I’ve lost a whole skinny person!!! ).”

The seventh month

“I sound crazy now - but people are changing around me - some even saying I’ve lost enough weight and mustn’t lose anymore. One woman came up to me ( a mum at the school ) and actually said to me ‘ You’ve got a face now’. What she meant was that I must have been such an invisible lump before - that really hurt and disgusted me, that people are so bloody shallow. If I make friends, it’s never to do with how people look or what they have done.”

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The eighth month

“I brought a pair of size 20 jeans today, and I feel like twiggy! My legs are toned, my tummy does bother me though, as it hangs and folds where all the fat has gone the skin remains. I do want a tummy tuck, maybe next year. My fat clothes are now distributed in every charity shop in the South East!”

The ninth month

“10 stone gone! I still have to be so careful with my food choices or I could fill up on non-nutritious foods. My family and real friends are delighted with me. Some others are keeping away, I guess, I was always the ‘fatter friend’ therefore good to have around.”

The tenth month

“I’m booked in for my tummy tuck. I’m nearly there - size 16 now - and feeling truly amazing. I’m contented, lucky, and delighted that my family have put up with little me. I’m a bit nervous about my tummy tuck, but it’s actually hanging there now looking YUCKY!”

The eleventh month

“Post tummy tuck and my lovely surgeon Klaus removed 11 pounds of fat, I have the neatest tummy now. Who would think I’ve lost nearly 11 stone in a year. Oh, and I’m booked in now, to have my boob’s done, as they are like flat sacks on my tummy.”

The twelfth month

“Post breast lift and goodness me, I am the proud owner of a lovely pair of 36c breasts. Altogether my weight loss is 11 stone 6 pounds. I feel absolutely years younger than I did last year, and I have no idea why I kept hold of all that extra weight and baggage for nearly a quarter of a century - but my motto is that I never regret what’s gone - but I intend to live my life to it’s fullest, enjoying feeling fitter and far healthier.”XXXX Francine….. SIZE 10!”