Mum Janine Clarke lost 9 stone in last chance gastric bypass surgery

Apr 16 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Mum lost 9 stone in last chance surgery

IT WAS a last-ditch attempt to save a mum-of-two from a life of obesity, depression and ill-health.

Janine Clarke, 40, from Lower Cumberworth, underwent a gastric bypass operation at St James’ Hospital, Leeds.

And she has now lost nine stones – more than 40% of her body weight – in eight months.

“I can’t tell you how much better I feel. I’m a much better person,’’ she said.

“It’s the best thing I’ve done.’’

Miss Clarke, a social carer, had struggled with morbid obesity and failed diets for 18 years.

She had floated around the 19-stone mark for 15 years – dangerously overweight for a woman 5ft 6in tall.

But for two years before her operation last August, Janine’s weight swelled to 21-stone and was rising.

She suffered insomnia, low self-esteem, vulnerability to infections and was prone to obesity related illnesses such as heart disease.

As a last resort Janine’s GP, Dr Les Orme, referred Janine for a gastric bypass.

The operation involves shrinking the stomach so it becomes impossible to eat anything more than small amounts of food and drink without vomiting.

But it’s no easy option. A gastric bypass is permanent, meaning patients must carefully monitor what they eat and drink for the rest of their lives.

Normal sized portions become a thing of the past.

And a small minority whose bodies have been stretched near to breaking point by their obesity, fail to cope with the stresses of the operation and die.