Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Being on show saved my life
An Airdrie resident who was trapped at home for six years after reaching 41 stones has seen their life transformed after having weight-loss surgery as part of a TV documentary.
AJ’S story is featuring in Channel 4 show Shut-ins: Britain’s Fattest People, focusing on those who rarely leave home because of their weight.
Previously a virtual recluse staying at home with mum Sharon, AJ had a gastric sleeve operation as part of the programme a year ago and has since lost 12st 8lb; and says: “it’s saved my life; changed my life – it’s like I’m a phoenix rising from the ashes.”
Now learning to drive and working in production management, the 24-year-old, who identifies as non-binary, hopes to be able to have gender reassignment surgery previously thought too dangerous due to their weight.
They said:“i’ve lost the equivalent of a whole human being – I feel quite proud of myself. It’s not as easy as people think to lose weight; the surgery was my lifeline and I needed that restriction.
“It’s not a quick fix and you have to work with it. It was challenging, but I was determined to do it.”
AJ lost five stones on a restricted 800-calorie daily diet prior to the surgery and also had sessions with a psychologist to examine their overeating patterns – which escalated as a teenager in response to bullying over their size.
Before the weight loss, they spent up to 19 hours a day on a mattress on the floor and needed a special sleep mask plus help with personal care.
AJ said: “I became stuck inside because my weight went up and up. I’d stay in all day, every day. It was lonely and I didn’t have any friends – it was me and my mum against the world.”
The programme also shows bariatric surgeon Professor David Kerrigan sharing home truths with the family about AJ’S weight gain of 67 kilograms in just a year, telling Sharon: “That shopping and food that allowed AJ to gain the weight of a whole person in less than a year, you contributed to.”
Since then, the duo have made lifestyle changes and AJ says: “My body doesn’t reflect who I am; I just want to be me. I’ve been told I need to wait for my gender reassignment surgery because testosterone injections can increase your appetite; they want me to lose a bit more but I know it’s there and that motivates me.”