A woman who couldn’t go on a night out without being mocked by cruel partygoers has told why she booked a flight to Turkey for gastric sleeve surgery – and has since lost 100lbs.
Becka Gill has been on a weight loss journey for as long as she can remember and has tried almost every diet around – but with no luck.
At her biggest, she weighed 19st 3lbs and was battling anxiety and depression.
However, there was a turning point for her when the 32-year-old decided she was sick of being the ‘big girl,’ and looked into gastric sleeves.
“When I was at my biggest it was also the lowest moment in my life,” the primary school teacher, from Cheshire, UK told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“There were times I would sob in the shower because I couldn’t touch my own body because I was so ashamed of myself.
“I cut off most of my friends and my social life became non-existent.
“I would constantly cancel plans because it was always such an ordeal trying to find something to wear to even feel slightly comfortable.
“In the summer I was still wearing long sleeves because I didn’t like showing my body.
“I’ve had men on nights out calling me fat.
“I’ve had people make comments like ‘How could you let yourself get that way’, I’ve been called disgusting, fat, hippo the lot.
“One night I was lying in bed and I knew I had to do something.”
She researched gastric surgery clinics, doctors and surgeons, and in June 2022, found somewhere in Turkey.
She said: “I spent six months researching places and decided to go with an English owned company abroad.
“I contacted them and five weeks later I flew out for surgery.”
Becka flew to Turkey for gastric sleeve surgery and had the procedure on 26 July 2022, which cost her £2,900.
Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as a sleeve gastrectomy, is where a large part of the stomach is removed so that it is much smaller than it was before.
She said: “It was a scary time at first but also at the same time I felt such a calmness and positive mindset around it because I knew that I was making the right decision for me.
“I had accepted everything in my head.
“I was with an amazing company who looked after me so well and I had the best care I’ve ever experienced.
“Recovery for me was really easy and smooth.
“I had a little gas pain but no other pains and I was back on my feet living my normal life two weeks later.”
Now, she is 17 months post-surgery and so far Becka has lost 7st 2lbs.
She said: “I would like to maybe lose a little more, however, my new focus is in the gym and working on strength training and body composition.
“I was so lucky throughout my journey that I didn’t have any side effects.
“My life is completely different now.
“My relationship with food is healthy, I eat a healthy balanced diet, I work out, I enjoy life again.
“I have a great social life and no issues buying clothes anymore!”
And to anyone looking to do the same, Becka says to have a big think about it before doing anything drastic.
She added: “Weight loss surgery isn’t an easy decision.
“It’s a last resort and shouldn’t be done unless you have done your research and are mentally truly ready to accept it.
“But for me, going to Turkey was the best decision I ever made.
“I had the most incredible care and the best experience I could have out there.
“I’m so grateful for my new lease of life.”
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