Susan Poultney had weight issues all her life, but in 2009 she underwent radical surgery to try and tackle the problem.

Having recently become a grandmother, Susan said she was looking forward to slimming down so she can play with her granddaughter.

Having fitted thousands of gastric bands surgeon Paul Super was passing on his knowledge to another surgeon so in the future he would be able to perform the delicate procedure by himself.

Mr Super used precise key-hole surgery to carry out the operation. A band, similar in size to a bracelet, pinched the top of the stomach making it feel smaller so the patient is less hungry.

The operation has proved successful in helping patients to reduce their weight. On average patients lose about half their excess weight within the first year of the operation.

If a patient weighs 20 stone and is 10 stone overweight, she will be expected to lose five stone within a year of having a gastric band fitted.

Susan said she a bit groggy after the operation but would be home in just four or five hours.

Note (20 February 2012): Susan Poultney is no longer obese. She was discharged from the weightloss service after two years of treatment.

Due for review August 2013