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I was too fat for my op - so I swallowed a balloon to get slim

By DAVID HURST

John May had a stomach balloon to lose weight for a knee operation

Many patients are being denied surgery, including joint replacements, because they are overweight. John May, 68, a retired Army corporal from Manchester, underwent stomach balloon surgery privately in order to lose weight for his NHS operation.

Here he talks to DAVID HURST about his experience and his surgeon explains the procedure:

THE PATIENT

My problems started when I left the Army in 1980. I've always been heavy - I'm 5ft 8in and back then weighed 15st - but at that point I was very fit. Then I took a job as a night attendant at Manchester City Council.

After driving to work, I'd sit down all night, and sleep during the day. I also ate a lot of takeaways and my weight increased by a stone a year. By the mid-1990s I was 28st.

Nine years ago I developed problems in my hips and knees, especially my right hip and left knee - it was painful standing up for any length of time. The doctors told me both joints needed replacing.

However, a year later, I was informed that the NHS would not perform these operations because my weight would place too much stress on my new joints, and before long they'd need replacing again. I was told I'd have to get down to 17st before they'd operate.

I tried various diets over the next five years. In 2000, after a few months on a liquid-only diet, I got down to the required weight. But as soon as I came off the diet my weight shot back up to 25st. Looking back, I can see I was eating to cheer myself up.

By 2005 I could only get about using crutches. I couldn't work and felt desperately unhappy. Last June, a friend told me about an operation to help obese people by inserting a balloon into the stomach via the throat. This is then filled with liquid, making you feel fuller quicker. I'd only need to eat a quarter of what I did before to feel full.

Then, by the time the balloon was removed, six months later, I would be in the habit of eating healthily. Having the balloon inserted meant I could lose 5st in six months. Then, under weekly supervision, I would continue my new diet. Within a year I could be in line for hip and knee replacements. The cost was just under £5,000 including consultations, supervision and counselling.

I wanted to try it as soon as possible. So, last summer, The National Gastric Balloon Centre, agreed to insert my balloon - provided I was prepared to alter my diet and keep a journal of my eating and exercise. Two weeks later I was at Manchester's Trafford General Hospital.

First, a spray numbed the back of my throat. Then a tiny camera on the end of a tube was used to see that everything was OK. After removing that, I had another tube down my throat, with the deflated balloon - about the size of a party balloon - attached. I could feel it going down, but it only took a few minutes.

When they filled the balloon I didn't feel a thing. That took just a few minutes - the entire procedure took less than an hour. I was warned I might feel sick for a few days, but didn't.

I was able to eat within hours, but my diet was vastly different - fruit for breakfast, tuna and tomato on Ryvita at noon, and in the evening I'd have something like minced beef with vegetables. Even though it was much less than I wanted to, I still felt full, and my cravings disappeared. In six months I lost 5st.

The procedure to remove the balloon was just the reverse of how they inserted it and not painful. That was in January, and I've continued to eat healthily. In the months since the balloon was removed, my weight has continued to drop. I now weigh under 20st and still lose a couple of pounds a week.

Not only does everyone tell me I look better, I feel far better due to my improved diet, and my sleeping has improved. I can get about without crutches for the first time in years.

I'm now having my knee operation in July and the hip two months later. I couldn't be happier.

Having the stomach balloon fitted has transformed my life. It was worth every penny.

National Obesity Surgery Centre, 0161 962 9126; www.stomach balloons.co.uk

ARTICLE COURTESY OF THE DAILY MAIL