A grandmother has a new lease of life after losing seven stone and dropping ten dress sizes after undergoing a gastric bypass operation.

Kim Smith, of Bletchley, decided to have the surgery after suffering weight problems for years but said it was less to do with looking good than actually saving her life.

She explained years of failed diets had caused her health to deteriorate but that she was only motivated to do something about it after being told her condition was life threatening.

Kim said her weight problem began after her parents separated when
she was just eight years old and she turned to food for comfort.

Later in life, and after having children and giving up smoking, her weight continued to get out of control.

At her heaviest Kim weighed in at 16 stone five pounds and she suffered
severe arthritis and back problems as a result.

She also suffered with sleep apnoea, which meant that she actually stopped breathing for periods while she slept and was advised to lose
weight or risk losing her life.

Since the operation in April Kim's weight has dropped to nine stone six
pounds.

She is delighted she can now move about more easily and do things she never thought possible, such as running up the stairs.

Kim added: "My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner. I can do so
much more now and properly live my life without food controlling me.

"I can play with my grandchildren more, which is absolutely priceless."

A gastric bypass operation involves creating a small stomach pouch and bypassing part of the small intestine to make the digestive system shorter, although nothing is actually removed.

This means that you can only eat small meals and your body absorbs less food.

Surgery is usually recommended only if nonsurgical treatments, such as diet, exercise and medicines have not worked.

For more information on Streamline Surgical and this amazing treatment visit the website at www.streamline-surgical.com.