"I would rather be 24 stone again"
Gastric bypass man says surgery to save him from obesity has ruined his life
A man who lost half his weight and was cured of a serious illness after major surgery says his life has changed – for the worse.
Before his gastric bypass operation, Tim Daily weighed 24 stone, suffered severe diabetes and had a series of 'mini-strokes'.
But the 47-year-old, from Newport Pagnell, now faces a lifetime of agony and being fed through a tube.
He is launching legal action against Charing Cross Hospital, where the operation was carried out.
The procedure involves realigning the digestive tract and sectioning the stomach so its capacity is greatly reduced and the patient can't consume large amounts of food.
Tim said: "People often think having this op is a quick fix, but they need to be more aware of the risks.
"I had the op in October 2008 and lost 12 stone in 12 weeks, and my diabetes was cured. By January the following year I was meant to start eating solid food. But I couldn't because of the pain. I was collapsing a lot and was rushed to hospital where I was found to be malnourished."
Unable to swallow solid food, Tim had more surgery to fit a tube to pass liquid food directly into his stomach. He added: "They put it in last July, but I am still in pain. I have to take four litres of oral morphine every month.
"The hospital think the nerves were damaged by me being cured of diabetes so quickly, but they're still not sure."
A qualified financial advisor, Tim has been unable to work fully since the operation. His wife Jenny has become his full-time carer, and events like eating out and holidays have become impossible.
Staff at Charing Cross Hospital are still looking at solutions but one option is to reverse the operation.
"It doesn't come without risks though," said Tim. "I had to pay myself to visit a specialist in Belgium.
"I'm terrified by it – there's up to a one in four chance of dying. But then on the other hand I've got this miserable existence, its an unbearable decision.
"I'd rather be 24 stone again than this. I'd say only have a gastric bypass fitted if your life depends on it."
A spokesman from Imperial College Healthcare said: "With every gastric bypass operation there is a five per cent risk of health complications.
"Before undergoing any form of surgery, we explain the risks and potential complications to every patient, and ask for their consent."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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