A mum who found herself size 24 after giving birth to her first child struggled to shed the weight despite trying fasting, fad diets, intense exercise regimens, slimming pills, and even weight loss injections. Sarah Kenyon-Holden, a mum from Lancashire, sometimes lost two or three stone, but the success was always short-lived.
“The weight just crept back on more quickly than it came off,” she said. “I had lost my willpower and was completely stuck on what to do.”
Sarah turned to the internet, where she began researching weight loss surgery. After learning about the procedures, Sarah decided that a gastric band would be the best option for her. In 2021, she made the decision to undergo the surgery. However, with the high cost of the operation in the UK, Sarah couldn’t afford to have it done locally. After some further research, she came across the NORDS clinic in Lithuania.
Sarah said: “The first eight weeks were quite tough. I had to only have liquids, then pureed foods, then soft foods, and finally firm solid foods. But the recovery was great and the surgery was keyhole, meaning smaller incisions, less pain, quicker recovery, and minimal scarring.”
Following the gastric band surgery, Sarah began to see lasting changes in her body. But her journey didn’t stop there. The 33-year-old housing needs officer also underwent additional procedures to help enhance her appearance after her dramatic weight loss. She had a breast lift and implants, followed by a tummy tuck to remove 14lbs of excess skin. In total, Sarah spent £16,000 on these transformative surgeries, but for her, it was worth every penny.
“These surgeries helped enhance my overall body shape and boosted my confidence after significant weight loss,” Sarah explains. “In two years, I have lost a total of 8 stone, and I feel fantastic.”
For Sarah, the physical transformation has led to an emotional and mental breakthrough as well. Sharing how much her outlook on life has improved since her surgeries, Sarah explained: “I feel so good about myself now, I have much more confidence. I love what I see in the mirror, I no longer have negative thoughts and emotions towards myself, and I can wear clothes that fit me a lot better. I just feel amazing.”