Kathryn blows a gastric over op
OT host’s warning over dangers of surgery abroad
KATHTRYN Thomas has warned against surgery tourism urging people to do their homework before travelling for gastric ops.
The Operation Transformation host said: “People are desperate. That’s a real problem. When you read the stories of how people have been left high and dry and how people have been left exposed, it’s a worry.
“The advice that’s out there is, if you’re going, do the proper research and make sure that people that you are going to are professional and have up-to-date qualifications.
“I would urge people to really do their homework before they go and be very sure where you’re going with an absolute 100 per cent option of follow through after your procedure.”
The Carlow presenter said Operation Transformation, now in its 17th year, promotes a healthier approach to weight goals with movement and nutrition at the core.
She added: “The one key takeaway that I took from watching the show the other night was Professor Niall Moyna who did our health-related fitness tests with the guys. He said movement is the closest thing to a magic pill that we have managed to come up with.”
Kathryn, 44, said those who criticise the show for “fat shaming” participants and being out of date haven’t watched it in recent years. She added: “A lot of the people who point that finger don’t watch the show, the series has evolved. It is not the same show as it was 10 years ago.
“Yes Operation transformation used to be very weight centric. Over the last six years, we have moved to a place where our mental health plays just as important role as our physical health.”
Mum-of-two Kathryn warned against quick-fix solutions to weight loss peddled on social media. She said: “People have to be careful at this time of the year. There is a lot of noise and a lot of advice doled out by people who are absolutely not qualified to give it.”
And she hit back at critics after the Department of Health withdrew its sponsorship for the show last year. Kathryn added: “I honestly have nothing to do with the sponsorship or have an understanding of the sponsorship – that’s obviously an RTE issue.
“I just think when a show is connecting in a way that it does, we are doing our job. We were getting an average of 29% [audience share] last year after the show has been on air for so many years. That’s kind of unheard of.” ■ Operation Transformation is on RTE One on Wednesday at 9.35pm.
Make sure that people you are going to are professional