A patient at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) has recently had a hernia operation, after losing more than 12 stones in just 15 months with the help of the dietary team.

Diane Price, 65, has dropped from 27st to 15st using a meal replacement regime, which helped her become eligible for the operation.

Diane has been living with rheumatoid arthritis for nearly 25 years, and had been told that her size could lead to a variety of health issues. 

She was referred to Professor Wasim Hanif’s metabolic obesity clinic from her rheumatology consultant.

Gastric band surgery was discussed as a weight management option, but Diane wanted to go down the dietary route.

The very low calorie diet involves drinking four shakes a day for 12 weeks, and has helped some patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB).

Diane said: “I had always been a big girl, and was beginning to think that I would never lose weight.

“I’ve tried so many diets that some of the younger dieticians at the hospital have never even heard of some of them.

“The dieticians team have been great throughout, and have really helped with motivation and support.

“Now I’ve lost the weight, it’s so nice to get compliments from people, and my grandson is also really pleased because he can now put his arms round Nanny’s waist and touch his hands together.

“The hernia operation went really well, and I was thrilled to let the team know – I couldn’t have done it without them.”

As well as the operation, Diane’s weight loss has led to better general health and increased mobility, though she is currently waiting for a new hip.

UHB specialist dietitian Samantha Hill said: “Diane had tried to lose weight for many years, and has followed several different diets, but had struggled to lose any significant weight.”

“I started seeing Diane in June 2014, at which point she was ready to make dietary changes and was extremely motivated.

“She has done extremely well to keep off all the weight she has lost and I’m so pleased for her that the operation went well.

“She has, however, done it with proper supervision from a weight management team and it’s important to stress that before anyone starts a very low calorie diet they must seek medical advice – especially if they have a complex medical history like Diane.”

Referrals to the weight management and diabetes clinic led by Professor Hanif at UHB can be made by general practitioners.