I’m a yummy mummy now

Her fiancé splashed out £7500 to buy Tracy a fabulous new body – now she can’t wait to get married…

As my fiancé, Matthew devoured his sausage and mash, he took a deep breath and looked up at me. A few days before, I’d confessed to him I wanted a gastric band. Trouble was the surgery cost £7500 – money we didn’t have.

‘Do you want to hear some good news?’ he asked.

I nodded. ‘OK,’ I said.

‘I’ve got the money for your operation,’ he announced.

I couldn’t believe what he was saying. ‘How?’ I screamed.

Big Plans

He told me he’d arrange a bank loan. ‘And we’ll use our savings for the other half,’ he explained. I flung my arms around his neck. ‘Thank you,’ I said, kissing him.

I knew I was being selfish spending all that money on a gastric band, but I couldn’t see how else I’d be able to lose weight.

I went ahead and booked the op. ‘Now we can organise our wedding for a year’s time. That will give me enough time to lose my flab and find the perfect dress.’ I told Matthew.

The next few weeks whizzed by in a blur, as I counted down the days to me operation. On the morning of the surgery I gave Ellis a hug. ‘Mummy will be home tomorrow,’ I promised.

Mum had agreed to baby-sit whiles Matthew drove me to the clinic.

Once I was settled in my room I began to worry. ‘I must be weak having a gastric band. Why can’t I be strong a lose weight like other people?’ I thought.

But before I had time to tell myself off even more a nurse came in. ‘Are you ready for theatre?’ she said.

Matthew let go of my hand. ‘See you tomorrow.’ He said, kissing me.

Once in theatre I was put under by the anaesthetist.

The surgeon cut five tiny holes in the skin of my stomach, then put a silicone ring around the upper part of my tummy to make it smaller.

Four hours later, I woke up. I had an oxygen tube up my nose, and my thighs were wrapped in weird air cushions, ‘What’s wrong?’ I asked.

The nurse reassured me it was normal. ‘The cushions stop any blood clots forming,’ she explained.

Hooked up to a morphine drip, I felt really tired and dozed off.

Next morning I woke to see Matthew sitting beside me.

I gingerly got up to go to the loo, and my stomach tightened. ‘I hope I’ve done the right thing’, I thought.

An hour later, Matthew drove me home. At first, I could only have liquids, and I felt full after a couple of sips of my Slim-Fast drink.

I missed eating proper food, but I enjoyed making roast dinners for Matthew and Ellis.

Just a week later, my size 22 jeans felt looser, so I decided to hop on the scales.

‘I’ve lost a stone,’ I shouted. ‘I can’t believe it.’

It was just the boost I needed. For the next couple of weeks, I ate pureed food. By the fourth week, I was tucking into mashed potatoes and carrots. But after just a few mouthfuls, I felt stuffed.

‘Look mummy’s eating like you,’ I told ellis, two, as I tucked into a baby portion of mashed carrot.

Gradually I introduced different foods, but I never pigged out. I’d come this far – and spent too much money – to ruin it all.

Sometimes, I’d get a craving for chocolate, but I’d remember Sharon Osbourne’s wise words, and the moment would pass.

Each week, I lost a couple of pounds, and within 10 months, I’d lost four stone and was a size 14.

I felt so sexy in my new body; I decided to make it up to Matthew for neglecting him.

I hit the shops and treated myself to some lacy black lingerie. ‘Fancy an early night?’ I cheekily asked him one evening. It was the first of many.

I’ve bought a beautiful white wedding dress - but every time I go for a fitting, it hangs off me.

‘Please don’t lose any more weight,’ the dressmaker ordered.

Matthew and I can’t wait for our big day. I’m determined to be the centre of attention – but this time, I’ll look beautiful, not blobby.

Tracy Williams, 27, Hyde, Cheshire

Read Traceys story and see her stunning before and after photoes

For more info on Surgicare’s Weight Loss Programme, call Surgicare, one of the UK’s leading cosmetic and weight loss surgery providers, on 08000 46 1000, or log on to www.surgicare.co.uk.