A woman who had four miscarriages linked to her excess weight has shared why she spent £11,500 on weight loss surgery to have a family.
For years, Danielle Clements was desperate to become a mum.
But her weight – sitting at 22st 8lbs at her heaviest – and unhealthy diet of takeaways, chocolate and crisps stood in her way.
READ MORE: Mum thought she was going to die when she developed sepsis after Turkey tummy tuck
The now 35-year-old, who suffered horrible nicknames like “Fatso” tried Slimming World and Weight Watchers – and had some luck at first, but the pounds soon returned.
Worried she and her husband Adam, now 37, would never have a baby, Danielle decided to take drastic action.
The Swindon resident forked out £11,500 for gastric bypass surgery and is now sharing her story to help others.
“I knew I had to do it – I had no other options left,” the support worker, told Need To Know.
“Some people think surgery is the ‘easy way out’ but I can’t tell you how much I tried to lose weight before I went down this route.
“Every time I gained the weight back, I felt awful and it fuelled my unhealthy diet.
“Adam and I would both snack all the time and had takeaways for dinner regularly.
“I hid my body in leggings and oversized tops, and would even cover up on holiday in hot weather.
“I was absolutely devastated each time I got pregnant and then found out I had miscarried.
“It left me feeling helpless.
“I yearned for a baby and decided that I would do whatever it took – no matter the cost or how other people felt.”
Just seven months after the operation, Danielle fell pregnant.
The soon-to-be mum was over the moon.
She said: “After a few weeks of recovery, I felt incredible.
“To keep the weight off, I started adding more protein and greens into my diet and before I knew it, I was the lightest I had ever been.
“I knew I couldn’t go back to my old ways.
“Just seven months later, I noticed my body feeling differently and took a test.
“I was in tears when I saw the pregnancy strip turn positive.
“I was happy but also in disbelief.
“I couldn’t believe it but because of my previous miscarriages, I wanted to wait until the seven-week scan before getting excited.”
Thankfully, everything went smoothly and on 9 January 2022, Danielle welcomed her baby boy, Leo.
The following year, in September 2023, she had a second child – another boy, named Oliver.
Danielle said: “I wasn’t expecting to get pregnant so quickly again.
“I took a pregnancy test just before my first son’s birthday and it was positive.
“It felt amazing.”
At her lowest, Danielle weighed 10st 5lbs and was a dress size 14.
In 2025, she weighs 13st and is content with her shape.
She has a balanced diet, which includes the occasional treat.
Danielle said: “After years of yearning for a family, I am finally the happy mum I always wanted to be.
“I still go out for dinner on special occasions and I eat takeaway food – but it’s not like it was.
“I’m more conscious of what I’m eating.
“I never thought this could be my reality but surgery and weight loss has given me my dream life.
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done and it’s saved me – both physically and mentally.
“Until I lost weight, I didn’t realise how much effort everything was.
“My advice to anyone trying to shift the pounds is to just do it.
“It is hard and there’s a lot of time and determination involved, but once you change your mindset, you can change your life.”
DIET BREAKDOWN:
BEFORE:
Breakfast: Toast
Lunch: Sandwiches, crisps and chocolate bars
Dinner: Takeaways or microwave dinners
Snacks: Crisps or chocolate bars
AFTER:
Breakfast: Shredded Wheat
Lunch: Sandwich and fruit
Dinner: Healthy, home cooked meals with lots of vegetables
Snacks: Light cheese or cooked slices of lean meat
READ MORE: ‘I thought chest pain was from tight bra – then doctors found 20 tumours’
