My name is Jill, I am 47 years old and on the 20th may 2009 my life changed for the better. I had looked into having weight loss surgery for around a year before I committed to it. I initially was going to have a gastric band, but after much discussion I decided on a gastric bypass. I had meetings with several weight loss companies. The only one that made me feel comfortable and confident to put my life in their hands was WLS GROUP. I felt comfortable with them and it was a huge help to speak to Michelle who had been through surgery herself.

My weight was 15st 9 and I was a dress size 20, before going on the pre-op diet for a week. I lost 5lb that week !

We left our home in Morpeth, Northumberland at 5 AM on the 20th May 2009 for the  2 hour drive to Sheffield to a lovely private Hospital. I was very nervous as we arrived at 7AM I was greeted and taken to my  private room where both myself and my husband were made to feel comfortable. Mr Ackroyd, my surgeon came to meet me and explained the op (which I already knew about as Wendy had already been through it all in detail  at my consultation) I was very very worried about what I was about to put myself through and clung to my hubby for support..... I needn't have been as my op went well and I was sitting up in bed that afternoon with enough pain relief to make me comfortable feeling relieved it was all over and I had survived the op!!

The nurses made sure I was almost pain free and looked after me really well as I had developed a chest infection and was on extra oxygen and a nebuliser as well as antibiotics, even with all that I was still able to leave hospital as planned after 2 nights and travel home.

When I arrived home it was a hot sunny day so we sat outside in the sun with our  friends everyone looked after me and as it happens the weather was really good for over a week so every day I would sit outside and enjoy the sunshine whilst recovering. I was on pain killers for 7 days and heparin injections to thin the blood for 10 days, to be honest I found it much easier than I ever imagined and wondered why I had made such a fuss!!!

My weight fell off me and 3 days post op I was a stone lighter than I was at my consultation, 3rd of July 2 stone lighter, 7th September 3 stone and when Christmas came I was 4&1/2 stone lighter and in a dress size 12.

I had an amazing Christmas and new year wearing all my new size 12 clothes with everyone telling me how amazing I look, they all say it has made me look at least 10 years younger..... and I feel 10 years younger!!

I feel great, I have lots of energy, my passion is showing my American miniature horses, I have 14 of them and our show team travels around the country completing at top level. Before my op I struggled to run around the show ring and was red faced and out of breath........... now I can show my horses no problem at all infact I came second at THE HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW in October with one of my fabulous stallions!!!!!!!!!

Which brings us to now January 2011 I am nearly 6 stone lighter than i was and a stable size 8-10.

I do power plate for toning. I am lucky because I don't have loose skin so I don't need to have anything else done. I am more than happy with my size now and finally happy with my body.

The WLS GROUP have been amazing. Colleen Campbell has rang me since coming out of hospital regularly daily at first, then weekly, now monthly, but I have been fine and not given her any hassle!!??

Wendy is amazing talked me through everything and helped me make the right  decision, she has also kept an eye on me regularly with weigh ins etc.

WOULD I RECOMMEND WLS GROUP ................100% I already have !

WOULD I DO IT  AGAIN ................... I WISH I DID IT 10 YEARS AGO !

ANY REGRETS .................. NOT ON YOUR NELLY !!!