Stomach surgery gives Terry a new life

9:10am Thursday 21st June 2007

TERRY Owston, of Rillington, near Malton, is one patient who has been granted obesity surgery.

We covered Terry's story earlier this year when he fell victim to the PCT's suspension of stomach stapling and gastric band operations at York Hospital.

Weighing 34 stone, the 55-year-old's BMI was over 60 - well above the guidelines for surgery.

Terry was overjoyed when he heard in March he would be offered a stomach stapling operation, which was finally performed last month.

He is now on his way to losing the weight he needs, after already shedding four stone in just over a month.

Terry said: "It's like a new life. The changes in my lifestyle are fantastic. I feel like a 25-year-old now.

"There's no way I could have done this by myself. I'm a lot better in my mind.

"As I see it, it's just like winning the lottery, but without the money." Terry now has to follow a strict diet as part of the long-term after care involved in obesity surgery.

A typical breakfast might now be a half Weetabix, which he must take up to 20 minutes to fully digest.

He now aims to get his weight down to 15 stone.

In its guidelines to GPs, the PCT has said patients with BMI of below 50 will be treated as a priority for surgery "as funding becomes available".

Editor's choice