Carole discovers a new lease of life

‘This is a safe and extremely effective way of almost guaranteeing long term weight loss’ – Nucleus Healthcare founder Dr Manny Srivastava

‘The whole procedure was painless, it only took 20 minutes and I was discharged within two hours’

Just 10 weeks ago, 44 year old Carole Theobald from Caldicot, was a size 18 and weighed 14 stone. Despite being a trim size 10 in her teenage years, she was never able to lose the pounds which piled on after having her first child.

Fed up with her weight and fed up of trying diets which didn’t work, she decided to turn to the gastric balloon; a saline-filled balloon which would sit in her stomach for six months to mimic the feeling of her being full, helping to reduce the amount of food eaten.

Now, 10 weeks on from having the procedure done at Newport- based Nucleus Healthcare, Carole has discovered a new lease of life having shed 22lbs.

Carole who works as a nurse and has two grandchildren said “I’ve tried Weight-Watchers and Slimming World and while I did manage to lose 6lbs, I just couldn’t lose any more.

“It’s really disheartening when you get on the scales having dieted and resisted hard all week, only to find you’re the same weight. You get miserable, turn to food again, and put the few pounds you did lose straight back on – it’s a vicious circle”.

“I was fed up of eating and fed up of my life which revolved around food. I knew the only way I would reach my target weight loss of two-and-a half stone would be if |I changed my eating habits”.

“When I discovered that Nucleus Healthcare offered the gastric balloon, I knew it was right for me”

The gastric balloon which costs £4,300, involves fitting a deflated balloon into the stomach through an endoscope. The balloon is then filled with saline, the weight of which produces a constant feeling of fullness.

After six months the balloon is removed. Patients have regular follow up appointments with either a dietician a consultant or specialist nurses. With their expertise a structured programme is devised throughout the six month period and beyond to help patients reach their target weight and stay there.

The gastric balloon programme has been hugely successful since it was launched at Nucleus with weight loss varying from 4lbs to 10 lbs in the first week.

Carole continued “Thankfully the procedure was painless. It only took 20 minutes and I was discharged within two hours. While my body adjusted to its new aid I took two days off work, and within a week I felt completely normal”.

“As normal as I could I supposed, because within a week I was ecstatic to have already had lost 9lb – something which I have never been able to achieve”.

“Every week since, I have had steady weight loss. I’m so pleased with my new size 14 figure; and at 12 stone 2lb I’m well on my way to reaching my target weight of 11 stone 6lb. It has been such an easy process with no stress or worrying. If I have a query I just speak to the support team as nothing is too much trouble”.

“All my chins have gone and when I see myself in a picture or in the mirror, I like what I see. My husband and family supported me from day one, and are all thrilled to see me so happy”.

“I no longer get hunger pangs because my stomach always feels satisfied and full. Only once have I craved sweet food, and after just one biscuit I was full – I didn’t want another one. Without the balloon I would have consumed around 525 calories before getting to that point by eating at least half the packet”.

“I spent so many years eating more than I should have over eating became what my brain thought was normal. In a way, the gastric balloon has reprogrammed my brain”.

It’s a fresh start – and I know I won’t revert back because the balloon stays in place for six months , long enough for me to learn a complete new approach to food”.

“The gastric balloon has given me energy and confidence and a new lifestyle. I feel fantastic, I look at the old me and can’t believe after all of these years she’s gone”.

Dr Manny Srivastava, founder of Nucleus Healthcare and consultant gastroenterologist, said ”the results Carole has had from the gastric balloon are repeated over and over. The gastric balloon is a safe and extremely effective way of almost guaranteeing long term weight loss.

“It is suitable for patients over 18 with a body mass index of 27 or more. There are generally three types of people who opt for a gastric balloon: those worried about the long-term health problems associated with being overweight; those who want to lose weight for ‘cosmetic reasons’; and those who have to lose weight for medical reasons.

“We recently had a patient who couldn’t have the hip replacement she desperately required without losing a substantial amount of weight. Within just three weeks she had lost 17kg and is expecting to be able to have her operation later in the year”.

Carole added; “Right now, instead of thinking about my next meal, I’m thinking about jetting away on holidays and wearing my new clothes with confidence and pride”.

“I’m a new person. I don’t just look different. I think different. I’ve found my respect for food. The gastric balloon has changed my attitude towards food and how I eat it – dieting never did that for me. There’s no looking back to how I used to be. I’m looking forward to life now”.

Lose weight , gain life

If you would like to discuss the gastric balloon procedure with one of specialist consultants, you can make a free, no obligation appointment by contacting Nucleus Healthcare on 01633 815900.

Interest free payment plans available, please ask for details,conditions apply.