Kelly Urey A 30-year-old British woman who underwent gastric bypass surgery was left extremely unhappy with the result Date of Birth: 01.01.1984 Country: Great Britain

1. Kelly's Story: A Cautionary Tale of Gastric Bypass
2. Adolescence and Weight Gain
3. Health Concerns and Surgery
4. Weight Loss and Physical Problems
5. Medical Dismissal and Despair
6. Current Health and Recovery

Kelly's Story: A Cautionary Tale of Gastric Bypass

Thirty-year-old Kelly Urey from Bury underwent gastric bypass surgery to lose weight after her love for takeaway food, crisps, and cheese led to her reaching a peak weight of 23 stone (165 kg). Advised by a dietitian, Kelly opted for the procedure... and "wrecked her life".

Adolescence and Weight Gain

Kelly began gaining weight as a teenager. However, her size didn't affect her sociability or self-esteem. "People saw me as a bit of a character," she says. "I used to make numerous jokes about my size so others didn't get the pleasure."

Health Concerns and Surgery

As Kelly entered her twenties, her weight began to take a toll on her health, including causing her to develop severe breathlessness. After consultations with her GP and a dietitian, she was offered gastric bypass surgery. Doctors warned her of potential complications, including internal bleeding, deep vein thrombosis in the legs, and pulmonary embolism. Despite the risks, Kelly consented to the procedure in October 2012. "I was nervous," she recalls. "Any operation would make you nervous, but I was worried more about the outcome."

Weight Loss and Physical Problems

Kelly initially rejoiced at the weight she lost after her bypass, but her body continued to drop at an alarming rate, and other symptoms began to emerge. "I was quite happy with the weight coming off," she says, "but I started to get worried because it wouldn't stop coming off. I realized every time I took a bite of food I was getting excruciating stomach pain and I was having to take painkillers just to get a scrambled egg down." Kelly also suffered from nausea, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, dizziness, and fatigue. She was left with sagging, unsightly excess skin.

Medical Dismissal and Despair

Determined to find answers, Kelly sought medical help. "I went to my GP and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with me. I said I was getting this pain when I eat and they just dismissed it. They put it down to being in my head. I felt helpless."

Current Health and Recovery

Today, former size 26 Kelly weighs just 7 stone (44.5 kg). Her diet typically consists of two cereal bars for breakfast, some fruit and a small yogurt for lunch, and a salad with hummus or salted popcorn for dinner. Despite her ongoing health issues, she remains positive about the future. Kelly now attends hairdressing classes at Bury College. "I needed something practical to do and it gives me a few hours during the day where I can forget about everything," she says. "It will also give me something to fall back on when I'm well enough to work."

Kelly continues: "I need to stop dwelling on it, stop looking at food with the worry of 'It's going to hurt.' I just need to get my head around having three meals a day." Nonetheless, Kelly admits that she often wonders if she should have ever gone under the knife for the gastric bypass that dramatically altered the course of her life. She has chosen to share her experience to encourage others to think carefully before opting for the surgery in pursuit of a slimmer figure. The UK's National Health Service recently reported a 530% increase in the number of gastric bypass operations performed in the country over a six-year period.