Ada

32-year-old Ada from Romford decided to have weight loss surgery at Spire Hartswood Hospital in Brentwood following a lifelong battle with obesity. Here she explains in her own words how her bariatric surgery has given her a life:

"I have always had a battle with my weight. From the age of four, all through school, my weight matched my age. I started secondary school aged 12 weighing 12 stone, and had to have custom-made school clothes. I left school weighing 17 stone and that is when the weight started piling on. At my heaviest I weighed 21 stone and had tried countless diets and fad diets. You name it, I tried it.

"By the time I was 21 years old, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes which was being treated with tablets. It wasn’t until after I got married when I was 22 years old, that I realised how much my weight had affected my health.

"I wanted to start a family, but needed fertility treatment (seven years of treatment in fact). I suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which is made worse by weight. Of course I tried to lose weight and successfully did lose 3.5 stone with Slimming World. My problem is that I cannot maintain weight loss. That meant that I regained four stone in six months.

"My health was beginning to suffer. My diabetes was now being controlled by insulin as well as tablets. My glucose levels were very high, daily readings of 12, 14 sometimes 18. I was tired, lethargic and miserable.

"I initially went to see Mr Mannur with the full intention of having a gastric band. It was then that Mr Mannur’s bariatric nurse, Claire, told me about the gastric sleeve. At first I wasn’t sure. It seemed such a permanent thing to have done, but after listening to the benefits of the sleeve, I jumped at the chance.

"Having a gastric sleeve meant I could finally see a reduction and demise in my diabetes. My PCOS would improve and my weight would no longer be an issue. And you know what? Everything Mr Mannur and nurse Claire said came true.

"Only three weeks after my surgery I was diabetes free! A blood test from my GP showed 'non diabetic'. I no longer need medication for it, my readings are now 4.5, 4.8. I no longer have the worry of any health implications caused by diabetes.

"I am currently five months post-op and having regular, normal periods. The hair growth associated with PCOS has gone. I am not at my target weight yet (I am aiming to lose another two stone) but I have lost over 87% of my excess weight. My life, thanks to Mr Mannur and Claire, has been reborn. I have a new lease of life.

"I exercise regularly, four to five times a week. This is from someone that avoided any kind of sport or activity at all costs. Now I am training for a marathon. Exercise is my new passion. I go to boot camp once a week and run seven miles a week. I work out at the gym and go swimming.

"I cannot thank Mr Mannur and Claire enough for giving me the life that I never had throughout my teens and 20s. My only regret about the surgery is that I didn't have it done 10 years ago."