The band has changed my life. I only regret not doing it 10 years earlier
Doreen Barnett-Brown lost almost eight stone with a gastric band and hails the operation as life-changing.
The 59-year-old gran has just marked the 11th anniversary of the procedure, which saw her go from 18 stone, 2lbs and a size 20, to nine stone 2lbs and a size 10.
Doreen, who is retired but owns Jamie’s Hair and Beauty Studio in Mastrick, Aberdeen, spent £5,000 on her gastric band surgery in Brussels and a further £6,200 on a tummy tuck and liposuctions at the Transform hospital in Stirling.
But Doreen, who since surgery has successfully completed the 54-mile, 24-hour Caledonian Challenge along the West Highland Way, pounded the Loch Ness Marathon, and took part in the 26-mile charity Kilt Walk, said she did not consider approaching the NHS because of the challenges posed.
She told The Sunday Post: “I spoke to other people who had gone for the procedure on the NHS and they told me they waited a year to two years for it.
“I did have a private consultation in the UK, but I was told I needed to lose five stone before I could have a gastric band fitted.
“But it was only around eight weeks between getting my initial consultation for the surgery in Brussels and having the gastric band fitted.
“I had the operation on December 3, 2008 and I was fit and ready to fly to Tenerife on December 23 that year for New Year.
“People say it is the cheater’s way to lose weight and that there are risks with the operation which is under general anaesthetic.
“But the band is only a tool to help you, you work the band, it doesn’t work you.
“It’s not an easy option, it still needs willpower. Just because you get a gastric band, it doesn’t mean you’re going to lose weight without doing anything yourself.
“You still have to exercise and watch what you’re eating.
“And I would rather be the way I am now with the gastric band, happy and healthy. Everyone said I was too thin at nine stone.
“I am now back up to 11-and-a-half stone, and a size 12 to 14. I am happy as I am.
“Because of the surgery. I have been able to do things that I could never have done when I was big, like running a marathon and paragliding with my 11-year-old grandson. I love my life.”
But the band that turned her health and happiness around over the last decade is now nearing the end of its lifespan.
Doreen said: “It lasts between 10 and 15 years and I am into my 12th year.
“If it wears out, I will definitely have it replaced. It changed my life. My only regret is I didn’t do it
10 years earlier.”