October 2009
When six members of Spire Harpenden Hospital’s Weight Loss Surgery Support Group decided to take part in the Herts 10k Run on Sunday 11th October, they were quite surprised that out of the 3000 or so runners taking part, they came last!
However the team have remained upbeat about their position and concluded that, all in all, they are very happy to be losers. Several team members have undergone weight loss surgery - some only very recently - and together they have managed to lose over 144.4 kgs (318lbs) in weight between the six of them. Not only that but before their surgery they would have found it difficult to take part at all.
The team consisted of several weight loss patients, as well as a team of experts including a surgeon, a dietitian, a psychologist and a specialist bariatric nurse.
Now a year old, Spire Harpenden Hospital’s Weight Loss Surgery Support Group was set up by bariatric surgeons Mr Jain and Mr Whitelaw, who were eager to ensure that their patients should receive the ‘gold standard’ in pre and post operative care. The surgeons realised that a good aftercare programme is possibly the most crucial element of successful weight loss surgery. On-going support including exercise and dietary regimes for months, and if necessary years, post surgery is essential to help patients maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Bariatric nurse Rachael Drewitt says:”Taking part in The Herts 10k Run was great fun and really gave the Weight Loss Support Group something positive to aim for – it encouraged them to continue their healthy eating and fitness regimes as well as raise money for Grove House Hospice in the process.”
Fifty-three year old Anthony Harris from St Albans says: “I have lost a total of 34 kilos (over 5 stone) since having my gastric bypass operation a year ago and I am no longer reliant on drugs for type 2 diabetes. It was fantastic fun doing the 10k race with the rest of the team and I just feel so fit and well.”