Mother and daughter enjoy new lease of life following surgery

A mother and daughter have told of their new lease of life after both undergoing dramatic weight-loss surgery.

Natalie Cox, aged 16, weighed over 25 stone and was desperate to find a solution that would improve her weight, health and confidence. Finding it difficult to stick to a sensible diet, Natalie decided to undergo dramatic gastric bypass surgery. Too young to have the surgery in the UK, Natalie found a clinic in Belgium which was prepared to perform the procedure – on both Natalie and her mother, Cheryl Cox, 44.

Cheryl explains: “I had the gastric bypass surgery primarily to support my daughter, but as an insulin-dependent diabetic with aching joints, it was for my own health reasons too.” Cheryl has lost 12 stone since the procedure, in July 2007, while Natalie has lost 8 stone.

Cheryl had been morbidly obese at her previously weight of 24 stone, which made her very unhappy: “While I was heavier, people would ignore me and I felt that I was not offered jobs due to my weight. Since the weight loss, I have gained confidence and continued with a strict exercise and diet regime which is making me fitter. I no longer have diabetes and all the aches have gone.”

Such a large weight loss in such a short time, however, often leaves patients with large amounts of excess skin. Thankfully, in March 2008 Cheryl was able to improve her life further by undergoing a full abdominoplasty at New Hall Hospital, near Salisbury, where Consultant Cosmetic Surgeon Mr Tony Rossi removed over 6lb of excess skin.

Cheryl has been thrilled with the result: “This has been life-changing – the best decision I have made. I am absolutely delighted with the result so far. I cannot believe Mr Rossi removed over 6lbs of skin and has given me a flat tummy!”

Cheryl explains that, although the gastric bypass was a huge success, the excess skin resulting from the weight loss was still affecting her lifestyle: “Carrying around a large flap of skin was giving me various areas of broken skin and chaffing, caused by friction whilst walking, exercising or just moving around. I could not wear fitted trousers and had to wear very loose baggy t-shirts to conceal the flap. Since the operation, I have already had to buy some new tracksuit bottoms, as the others kept falling down! I am really looking forward to going out to buy new fitted clothes!”

Mr Rossi, an expert cosmetic surgeon, commented: “For Cheryl, the benefit of losing the diabetic problems has drastically improved Cheryl’s life expectancy and well being. This type of surgery would be suitable for most patients with such dramatic weight loss.”

New Hall Hospital works with a number of leading cosmetic and plastic surgeons, and offers a number of options for patients with weight problems, including liposuction and laser treatments.