Wie eine Gewichtsreduktionsoperation mein Leben verändert hat: Die Geschichte von Gemma

Gemma's challenges with weight loss

Gemma is a veterinary nurse in her mid-thirties from Cornwall. An avid horse rider, she leads a vibrant and active life, balancing her passion for riding with other hobbies such as walking, running, and bodyboarding.

But Gemma hasn’t always been able to enjoy such an active lifestyle. For many years, she struggled with weight loss, feeling held back by the extra pounds that slowed her down and kept her from fully embracing the activities she loved.

"I was fed up with trying to lose weight," she says. "My weight constantly went up and down, and I always felt hungry and struggled to stick to any diets."

Gemma before her weight loss surgery

Gemma's first steps towards weight loss surgery

Despite her repeated attempts at dieting and exercising, Gemma had little success in managing her weight. Overwhelmed, frustrated, and worried her life might pass her by if she didn’t take control, she decided to seek help from her doctor.

"I first went to see my GP, who referred me to the hospital’s bariatric team," she says. "From there, I had to attend numerous appointments with dietitians, a psychiatrist, and the surgeons."

Gemma explains that the process is lengthy because the team ensure you fully understand the health hazards, potential post-operative complications, and the strict dietary changes required after surgery.

She adds: "You have to completely change your way of eating."

Choosing the right weight loss surgery

For Gemma, finding the right weight loss surgery was a personal journey that required careful consideration. Her first procedure didn’t deliver the results she hoped for, leading her to undergo a different surgery that suited her better.

"I initially had a gastric band, which ultimately failed and was removed in 2021, just 18 months after it was placed," she describes. "After that, I underwent revision surgery to a gastric bypass.

"I chose this option over a gastric sleeve because I experienced severe reflux and indigestion with the band, and we were concerned that those issues might happen again with the sleeve. Therefore, we opted for the bypass."

Preparing for the surgery

In getting ready for her surgeries - both mentally and physically - Gemma relied on the guidance of healthcare professionals and the support of her loved ones.

She began working with a personal trainer a year before starting surgery, to improve her physical health and boost her cardiovascular fitness. This helped reduce her vulnerability to complications from general anaesthesia.

"The bariatric team provided a support group which made it easier to chat with people who have been through same thing as me," says Gemma. "My friends and family were also incredibly supportive - they all just wanted me to succeed."

Gemma's experience through surgery and recovery

Weight loss surgery is no small feat, and inevitably, certain challenges can arise along the way - as Gemma experienced first-hand.

"On one occasion, I was very dehydrated," she explains. "The hospital was understaffed with nurses and I was being cared for by assistants who unfortunately missed that I was very dehydrated as I wasn’t able to drink enough fluids.

"They were caring and helpful but not trained to know that, and the one nurse who was on the ward was completely overrun with too many patients."

It’s important to be proactive during recovery. Even under professional care, you need to listen to your body and speak up if something doesn’t feel right. You know yourself best, so don’t rely solely on others to monitor your health.

How Gemma's relationship with food has changed

Gemma describes her attitude towards food as much healthier than it was before her surgeries.

"I have a good relationship with food now," she says. "I don’t binge eat and I prefer healthy, clean foods. These fresh, unprocessed foods make me feel good, while processed foods can leave me feeling bloated and sick."

Gemma mentions that she still eats three - sometimes four - meals a day, though the portions are smaller than they were before her surgeries.

"I have to eat every three to four hours, or I get hypoglycaemia," she adds.

Gemma today

Monitoring your health after surgery matters

Gemma explains that her life is much easier now since she first had weight loss surgery. While she initially relied on professional and emotional support to stay on track after surgery, she finds she needs it less these days.

However, her health still requires regular monitoring. Routine blood tests make sure she isn’t deficient in essential nutrients, and she receives vitamin B12 injections every two weeks, while diligently taking multivitamins, calcium, and iron supplements.

"Having weight loss surgery is the best thing I've ever done," Gemma concludes. "Because I've followed all the post-op guidance and was careful with my eating, I've been lucky not to experience any complications so far.

"To date, I've lost seven stone and two pounds."