A Wakefield woman underwent a life-changing procedure so she could marry her boyfriend.
Lisa Stubbs has become the first person in Yorkshire to undergo a bariatric, or weight loss, surgery as a day case. This meant she was able to go home the same day she received the surgery.
The 45-year-old from Newton Hill received the treatment from Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, which is the first Trust in Yorkshire to perform the surgery. The Mid Yorkshire Trust is one of very few centres in the country which performs bariatric surgeries as day cases, meaning the Trust is at the forefront of it’s field.
For Lisa, who underwent the procedure at Dewsbury and District Hospital, the surgery gave her hope for the future. Standing at 5ft 5ins tall, and with a weight of 19 stone before the surgery, Lisa has now set a date to get married to her partner of 11 years on October 4.
Lisa said: “This surgery was a life saver for me, I am now hopeful for the future, and it will massively improve my quality of life.
“Before surgery I had tried everything to lose weight, rigorously following an NHS weight management programme, but because I have issues with my hormones and an underactive thyroid, that just didn’t work for me.”
Rupa Sarkar, Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Surgeon, who carried out the surgery, said: “Introducing day case bariatric surgery is a game-changer for our patients. It means they can have life-changing procedures and recover in the comfort of their own homes the same day.
“It’s safe, efficient, cost effective and empowers patients to take the next step in their weight-loss journey with minimal disruption to their lives.
“We are confident that this model will empower patients, enhance recovery experiences, and strengthen our ability to meet the growing demand for bariatric surgery in a sustainable way. The outcomes of the surgery are comparable and focus on the best care for the individual.”
She was treated at Dewsbury and District Hospital
Lisa was quick to praise the team at the hospital, saying: “I can’t praise them enough, right from pre-op to post op, I have been very well cared for. I have been kept fully informed throughout, and since the operation I have been contacted regularly to see how I am getting on.”
A traditional weight loss surgery requires a patient to stay in the hospital as an inpatient following the procedure, which means it can be affected by pressures such as increased admissions during winter. This can lead to delays and impact the quality of life for patients.
It has taken 15 months of planning for the Trust to be able to do this surgery as a day case, and has been made possible as the result of the introduction of a full-time bariatric nurse practitioner, who can provide support for the patient, senior advanced nurse practitioners, who can ensure patients received care and guidance at home, changes to anaesthetic care which leads to quicker recovery and advancements in robotic surgery techniques which reduce post-surgery discomfort.
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