Introducing Janet and Claude Stokes, My Parents

For those who are visiting my site perhaps for the first time, or have maybe not had time to read through my blog, you may or may not be aware that my parents have also had the RNY Gastric bypass. Whenever I first told them about my surgery they were both genuinely interested and keen to know if it may be something that would work for them both too. My father has been overweight even since I can remember and has been struggling with numerous tablets to control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiac problems which he has needed surgery for in the past. My mother has been on a diet pretty much every day of her life. When I was growing up I remember her going to slimming clubs, doing numerous diets, counting calories, and limiting her portions. My mother was always very active though when I was young. Right up into her 50's she was cycling about the town rather than taking the car. Since her mobility became affected by her osteo-arthritis though, her weight seems to have increased without any control. I am sure seeing the scales go up and up made her feel very low, with no successful method of bringing it back down. She has had surgery to her ankle, both her knees, her elbow, her shoulder, and her spine. She has been limited with her mobility mainly from her back pain in recent years, and this has been particularly hard to watch as her daughter, knowing that she was only in her 60's when this all began.

When my father asked me to ask my surgeon, Dr Bruno Dillemans, if he would consider them for surgery, little did I know what I had started ! Dr Dillemans was not keen at first for them to have the RNY because of their age and pre existing co-morbidities, however he suggested the McLeans Procedure might be more effective for them as a lesser risk surgical option.

Once I had started to lose my weight, my parents followed my progress enthusiastically and were very supportive of my achievements. We live a long way from them and only get to see them once in a while, so it was several months after my surgery that we made the trip over to England from Northern Ireland to see them. They were blown away with how well I was looking, and during our stay with them, they were asking many questions about having surgery themselves. To cut a long story short, I was able to speak to Dr Dillemans and book both my parents in for a sleeve gastrectomy with him. I trust this surgeon emphatically and as far as I was concerned I was not prepared to risk their health in the hands of any old bariatric surgeon - I wanted the best. Dr Dillemans CV shows his superior level of surgical experience and skill, and I knew they would be in the safest of hands with him.

When Dr Dillemans saw them both he agreed after a comprehensive health assessment, to carry out the RNY gastric bypass on them both instead of the sleeve gastrectomy or McLeans procedure. On August 2nd 2007, they both underwent their life altering surgeries, aged 70 and 71, and here is the result in picture format.

Start weight 18 stone 6lbs Height 5ft 7
BMI  39.1
Current weight 12stone8lb
BMI 26.7
 

Start weight 17 stone 1lb Height 5ft 1
BMI 45.4
Current weight 12 stone 7
BMI 33.3

These pictures are amazing and show a superb weight loss in just under a year. I am incredibly proud of their achievements and delighted to show the world this page. They are coping superbly well with their bypass and have had very few problems along the way. Dad is off most of his medications and is feeling much healthier and fitter than he has since his days of playing cricket ! To give you an idea of how long ago that was, I was almost too young to remember him playing !! Mum reports that she is also feeling very well. Her blood pressure is much better controlled and her weight loss has certainly made a positive impact on her arthritis. She says she has not been this weight in over 16 years !

I am honoured that they trusted me to find the best surgeon for them, and for taking my guidance and having this surgery. Without a doubt it has added value and years to their quality of life and for this alone I am delighted.

Here's to the next year Mum and Dad. You still have a little way to go but not far !! I will be with you every step of the way !