What our patients are saying about us...
Abi Ellis says: "I attended a promotional evening for Weight Loss Surgery at the Spire Harpenden Hospital in February 2009. At that time, I weighed over 18 and a half stone and (measuring only 5'3") I was an 'overwhelming sight.' I remember feeling absolutely desperate. I had spent the last three years or so on a diet roller coaster trying every conceivable weight loss diet and product and failing to stick to any of them. I was exhausted and chronically depressed - at the end of my tether.
"Then I heard about Weight Loss Surgery at Spire Harpenden Hospital. I attended the open evening at the hospital, hosted by Mr Whitelaw and Mr Jain, full of excitement and anticipation and left feeling elated and absolutely sure of my next course of action. The very next day I saw my GP and convinced her to sign the referral for a consultation with Mr Whitelaw.
"I had my surgery on 18 April 2009 (one year ago now) and I haven't looked back. Over this year I have lost 5 stone and 9 pounds. I could still do with losing a bit more weight but I am so happy with myself for the first time in years. My shoulders are always back, my head is held high and I have a permanent smile on my face. Everyday problems fail to faze me these days and last year they would have reduced me to tears.
"Opting to proceed with the surgery was the best decision I ever made and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who, like me, has struggled with weight loss over many years.
"Some people argue that surgery is the easy way out and the cheater's route to losing weight easily but I think that is a very short sighted way of looking at it. The surgery frees obese people from the demoralising struggle with never ending diets and gives them the space and time to anaylse their eating habits (and also gives them the much needed tool to keep the weight off for life).
"I occasionally still make the wrong food choices, like anyone else, but now the 'restriction' limits my intake and enables me to feel full and content after a small portion of food. I now look forward to enjoying the rest of my life and embracing every new opportunity, rather than hiding myself away."
Anthony Harris says: "Amazingly, after my surgery I no longer have type two diabetes and I haven't needed to take my medicines at all.
“My wife and children were always concerned about my health problems and are delighted with the results of my surgery. I am hoping to get my pilot's licence back and start flying again this year."
Anthony Harris was forced to give up his love of flying, after being diagnosed with type two diabetes, which made him gain a few extra pounds.
Things seemed to go from bad to worse for Antony, after his pilot's licence was revoked due to his weight-related health problems. The 53-year-old had held a pilot's licence since 1979 and at 16 stone and only 5ft 5inches tall, he was experiencing health and emotional problems. He was diagnosed with type two diabetes, which needed to be drug-controlled.
He developed sleep-apnoea, a condition which interrupted his normal airflow, causing him to wake during the night after struggling to breathe.
Antony visited a consultant general surgeon at Spire Harpenden Hospital to find out about weight loss surgery, specifically a gastric band. After hearing the options available to him, he decided to have gastric by-pass surgery instead).
Fiona McKenna says: "After years of yoyo dieting and trying all the latest crazes - even as far as maple syrup and cayenne pepper - I decided that I was going to do something about my weight once and for all.
"I researched surgeons and went to see Mr Jain at the Spire Harpenden. I quickly realised that surgery was the way forward for me and after a long consultation, and the choice between a band or sleeve op, I opted for a Gastric Sleeve operation.
"This was purely a personal choice because I wanted a procedure that was permanent and with little maintenance afterwards.
"I weighed in at 15st 3lbs. on the day of the op and now, 6 months later, I weigh 10st. 1lb. I feel a new woman and can say that my life has changed completely. I no longer worry about food and it no longer controls my life. I eat little (and often) and have never been happier. My only regret, that I didn’t do it 20 years ago!!"