A man, who used to be Britain’s highest individual user of insulin, will tell delegates at a study day in Liverpool today, how specialist weight-loss surgery transformed his life.
Michael Parker, 49, who weighed 34 stone and was plagued by ill-health, is among 200 people nationwide who have all undergone a complex weight-loss procedure known as the DUODENAL SWITCH.
Now some 40 duodenal switch patients are coming together for the first time at an event organised today by the leading weight-loss information charity WLSinfo to share their experiences.
Speakers at the event will include top surgeons, including Professor David Kerrigan, who pioneered the duodenal switch operation in the UK. Also attending will be patients and dieticians.
“The study day is for anyone who has had or is thinking of having the duodenal switch operation,” said Ken Clare, founder of WLSinfo.
“As a charity, we have many members the length and breadth of the British Isles who have had this procedure. We felt it would be a great opportunity to bring them together to talk about their experience and for potential patients to find out more.”
Designed to help the seriously obese lose weight by making the stomach smaller and diverting the course of the food eaten, the duodenal switch procedure works by reducing the calories being absorbed by the body.
“Before surgery, I had to take 600 units of insulin a day – 12 times the average amount,” says Michael Parker.
“Since having the operation, I have lost 19 stone, no longer need insulin, my blood sugar levels are normal and my blood pressure is down. I do not have any symptoms of diabetes that plagued me for almost seven years.”
Also speaking at the event is his surgeon Professor David Kerrigan, medical director of weight-loss surgery specialists Gravitas. Professor Kerrigan is the surgeon who advised the UK government on the NICE obesity guidelines used today. Over the last nine years he has performed the duodenal switch procedure on over 150 patients, many of whom will attend the event.
At the study day, Professor Kerrigan will outline the history of the operation, its results and describe how – for the right patient – the results can be excellent. Also attending the event will be specialist dieticians who will speak on nutrition, blood monitoring and the importance of aftercare.
I feel sure that this will be a most valuable day and that more will be reported about it after the event on www.wlsinfo.org.uk
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