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.