Mum sheds 5½st after weight-loss op (From The Advertiser Series)
Send us your pictures, video, news and views by texting NORTHERN ECHO to 80360 or email us
Mum sheds 5½st after weight-loss op
11:28am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News
NEW LIFE: Pamela Herron
A MOTHER-OF-FOUR has become the first patient to have a gastric bypass at a North-East hospital trust.
Thirty-six-year-old Pamela Herron, from Fishburn, County Durham, had the weight-loss surgery at the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, in March.
She has since lost five-anda- half stones – more than 55 per cent of her excess body weight.
Her weight has reduced from 18st 8lb to just over 13st and she has dropped from a dress size 24 to a 16-18 following the surgery.
She said: “I was tired of watching my four sons enjoying themselves and always being the one to sit back and watch. I would get breathless very easily. Everyday tasks that you would normally take for granted became difficult.
“I was struggling with my weight and really wanted to do something to improve my lifestyle.”
The surgery involved creating a small pouch within Mrs Herron’s stomach, which was then attached to part of the small bowel. This created a restrictive effect, reducing the amount she was able to eat and limiting the amount of calories, protein and minerals that can be absorbed.
Bariatric specialist nurse Sara Close said: “People have to show they are committed.
They have to lose ten per cent of their excess body weight before surgery.
“Fourteen days before the surgery, patients are put on a very strict diet so that the operation can be done by keyhole.”
Earlier this year, it was announced that weight-loss surgery would begin at three centres, The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, Darlington Memorial Hospital and the University Hospital of North Tees.
