A binge eater who spent £9,000k to get her life back on track says she is now a better mum after spending a lifetime on "fad diets ".
Amy Elsley, 27, began dieting aged 15 but struggled to maintain a healthy weight.
She says it caused her to become severely depressed as she turned to food for comfort.
The scenic artist weighed 18st 8lbs at her heaviest - and decided she had to do something about it.
The mum-of-one from Rainham, East London, found it hard to stop eating once she started, until she decided to undergo surgery in May 2021.
A large part of Amy's stomach was removed for £9,000 last year and she says its the best decision she has ever made.
Now, ten months on, Amy is 11st 8lbs and couldn't be happier.
She said: "I have always been a yo-yo dieter but it didn't matter how much I lost as I would always put double back on.
"Eventually, I grew sick and tired of my reflection.
"I was ashamed and disgusted that I had let myself get to the weight I was at.
"I knew I needed an extra bit of help which is why I opted for a gastric sleeve."
Amy used to eat large portions and McDonald's frequently for her lunch.
She recalls skipping meals such as breakfast and to compensate binged during the evening.
But at the start of 2021, Amy was signed off work with depression.
She adds: "I would never eat breakfast but once I started to eat, I could never stop.
"It was like I wouldn't give myself chance to feel full. I'd just keep on eating until I felt like I was going to be sick.
"I'd typically order nine chicken nuggets, a double cheese burger, large fries and cheese melts from McDonald's for my lunch.
"Then I'd always have a huge portion of stodgy dinner.
"My weight and appearance combined with the lockdown made me feel so depressed.
"I wasn't showering for days nor leaving my bed as I had hit a really low point in my life.
"I wasn't able to be the mum my daughter Evie, five, deserves which is what prompted me to make the call to Spire London East Hospital.
"Within two months, I was on the table ready for the surgery."
Amy used her life savings to fund the surgery - and now insists it was worth every penny as she feels like a "new woman".
She adds: "I haven't got one regret. I finally have my life back.
"When I was overweight, I was a recluse and I couldn't wear the clothes I like.
"I wouldn't even put makeup on as I didn't want to draw any kind of attention to myself.
"It's so hard when you are big to feel accepted as people constantly judge you.
"But now I am like a completely different person.
"I am a better mum to Evie and the first to go down the slide with her or on a ride.
"Previously, I was too ashamed and embarrassed in case I got stuck."
Amy insists weight loss surgery isn't the 'easy' option.
She adds: "I think there is a stigma around surgery, but it's not the easy way out.
"I would have loved to spend £9k on something else but it was important to me and my only option.
"It feels like I have finally stepped out of a fat persons costume. I feel amazing and so much more relaxed in social settings now. I still have to keep an eye on what I am eating but I am making much healthier choices now.
"The surgery was a life changing decision which requires work; I have to hit protein goals daily."
Food diary before:
Breakfast - skip
Lunch - McDonalds - nine nuggets, double cheese burger, large fries, diet coke and cheese melts
Dinner - Large portion of spaghetti Bolognese
Food diary now:
Breakfast - Two Belvita breakfast biscuits or small porridge
Lunch - Caesar salad
Dinner - Meat and vegetables
