AnnaMaria
A mother of three has spoken out after being told she would only qualify for NHS surgery to remove excess skin if she gained weight again.
Lisa Smith, 44, from St Helens, once weighed 28 stone. After being warned to “diet or die” following diabetes related heart failure, she lost more than 16 and a half stone through strict dieting and determination.
Despite reaching a healthy BMI, Lisa was told she does not qualify for NHS funded surgery to remove the excess skin left behind. She was instead advised that gaining weight to become eligible for weight loss surgery would give her access to skin removal.
The situation took a serious toll on her mental health. Lisa says trying to meet changing criteria triggered anorexia and bulimia, and at one point she stopped taking insulin despite the risks.
Now, she believes the system is broken. After losing the weight naturally, her health and quality of life have suffered, and she worries others may be discouraged from trying to change their lives.
