Sharon's Story

My name is Sharon and I am fifty years of age. I am married and have two children of 29 and 25 years of age. I always wanted to become nurse and achieved that ambition in 1979. Throughout my career I have worked in Accident & Emergency, Intensive Care, Acute Medicine and as a Nurse Practitioner in general practice.

Over the years I have battled constantly with my weight. I have tried multiple diets and pills with limited success, which always resulted in gaining the weight again along with an extra 7- 14 lbs. Despite my weight, I remained active and always worked hard. However, I always felt I had to do more than anybody else so that I would not be thought of as fat and lazy.

There was a constant need on my part to please people and be the big, happy girl who was first to make a joke about her size. I have a loving supportive family but felt I was shaming them so I went out less and less. It eventually got to the stage where the only place I went was work. I was the fat jolly nurse who never refused any work she was asked to do and took on far too many tasks and responsibilities. As soon as I closed the door to go home from work that cloak fell and I was tired, depressed, ashamed and unwell.

A few years ago I was involved in a road accident which resulted in prolapsed discs and severe back pain. With this, my mobility became very limited which resulted in even greater weight gain. I felt isolated, an object of ridicule in public and really at times wished I was dead. My blood pressure became uncontrolled even on 12 tablets daily. I developed type 2 diabetes which was not being controlled by tablets and doctors were considering starting insulin. My legs were swollen, painful and discoloured. I could not even do my shopping as my back was too painful to walk and if I did go into a shop and there was a queue, I had to put the items down and leave.

Eventually I had to take early retirement on health grounds from the career I loved. I continued to work part-time as a telephone triage nurse only because it involved sitting in a chair using a computer and phone. Even this work required multiple pain killers and analgesia. Childhood asthma also returned with a vengeance and patients used to remark on the phone that I must be very busy as I was so out of breath.

My lovely husband and daughter took me to Florida in May 2006 and the trip was a nightmare. I was in too much pain to walk the distances required in airports, I just about fitted into the larger seats we had booked and required a seat belt extension. The looks of crew and other passengers was embarrassing to say the least. On return from holiday life just got worse and worse with several falls and hospitalisation for chest problems. My general practitioner has always been a great support and due to her efforts and that of my consultant I was referred for assessment for bariatric surgery. My BMI at this stage was 57 and I weighed 25 st and 12 lbs. I fulfilled the NICE guidelines for obesity surgery as I was classed as super morbidly obese. I was refused surgery at home in Northern Ireland due to the shortage of beds and resources but was informed that my Health Board would fund it in England.

There are several important dates in my life such as marriage, the birth of my children and anniversaries but the date I had my bariatric surgery was life changing. On the 13th of February 2008 I had a gastric bypass and that is when my family got their mother and wife back. In the months since I have lost 10 st 12 lbs and become the person I was 25 years ago.

I no longer can only shop on line but can trail my husband around shops and cities. I have a desire and zest for life I forgot I ever had. Nothing now seems to be a toil except ironing which I always hated. My mobility is better than ever, my back pain only occasional, 1 tablet for blood pressure which is now normal. My diabetes now requires no medication and my asthma is a thing of the past. I no longer can only go to places that have mobility scooters or wheelchairs but can travel where I want when I want.

I cannot stop smiling at the small things that make a difference such as buying shoes not flip flops, buying your underwear in the supermarket with your groceries. I can now buy clothes in almost any shop much to my husband’s dismay! I have gone from a dress size 32 to a size 16-18 in 9 months.

I knew the risks of having surgery but honestly felt it was my only chance at not dying within 2-4 years. I felt so low at the time, I thought either the surgery works for me or hopefully I die on the table and then I am free from this torture any way. Now I cannot believe I wanted to die as I love my life and the changes gastric bypass has given me. I want it to be available for all who require it and not only for a chosen few.

Obesity is an illness just like alcoholism and drug addiction. The big difference being everybody has to eat to survive - not so with the other two. My husband and I truly are determined to help others in this situation with advice and encouragement to achieve the life we never thought we would experience again. I had a great surgeon, bariatric nurse and bariatric team. I thank all who have changed both mine and my family’s life and encourage anyone in the same situation to grasp the chance and take the step that gives you back a life we all deserve and are entitled to.