Couple loses 21st after gastric band operation

Added on 23/08/10

Author: Sarah Warman – Reporter

A couple who weighed a combined total of 42 stone have successfully shed weight after doctors warned them that they could die.

Surgery on the same day

After years of junk food diets consisting of fried foods and snacks Kate Glencross, and husband Roy, had become dangerously obese. Mrs Glencross, 61, reached a weight of 18st 3lbs, and as a result was forced to take a number of medications to control her severely high blood pressure. Her husband, 62, was over 25st at his largest and had to use a cane in order to take the pressure off of his ‘crumbling’ knees.

After crash diets had failed to work for the couple, the NHS offered them both gastric band surgeries. The couple underwent the surgery on the same day in 2008, at Peterborough District Hospital.

Mrs Glencross now weighs under 10st, and Mr Glencross is down to 14st after the couple lost a combined weight of 21 stone. “I don't feel bad that the NHS paid. It's actually saved them money in the long-term because I don't have to go back for appointments”, said Mr Glencross.

Surgeries are the last resort.

Gastric band surgeries are the last resort for weight loss. The surgery restricts the size of a patient’s stomach, and as a result means that the patient has a smaller appetite and can feel full after smaller meals.

The operations are reserved for patients who have a Body Mass Index of over 50, and are therefore classed as morbidly obese. However, a woman from Bracknell is set to take health chiefs to court in order to overrule the decision not to let her undergo the surgery.

40 year old Hazel Kent, of Bracknell has said that the surgery is the only way for her to lose weight. Mrs Kent had undergone the operation in the past but was forced to have the band removed due to complications.

Although the surgery is often successful, attempting to lose weight before reaching morbid obesity is vitally important for us all. This can be done through a number of means. Healthy diet and exercise are important for us all.