Bariatric Surgery at Cleveland Clinic London Transforms Woman’s Life and Health

Sara Woodman, a 53-year-old mother of three, has faced a lifelong battle with her weight. From childhood habits that shaped her relationship with food to trying every diet imaginable, Sara’s journey to better health has been anything but straightforward. But after undergoing bariatric surgery at Cleveland Clinic London in April 2024, Sara is now celebrating a new lease of life.

“I’ve always struggled with my weight,” Sara shares. “As a child, I was told I had to finish my dinner if I wanted my pudding. That mindset carried into adulthood. When I got married, I’d eat the same portions as my husband because I didn’t want to waste food.” Despite losing five stone before her third child, Sara’s weight returned, compounded by the discontinuation of her prescribed appetite suppressant and a new pregnancy.

After years of frustration, Sara’s GP referred her for bariatric surgery. “I felt ashamed. I’m an adult, and I couldn’t manage my weight alone,” she says. “I didn’t tell anyone I was going through this at the time because I wasn’t sure the surgery was going to happen. I think I was embarrassed; that’s just the mindset you’re in.”

Sara first met Mrs Kalpana Devalia, Consultant Surgeon, Bariatric, Upper GI & General Surgery at Cleveland Clinic London, in 2023. “With a BMI just under 50 kg/m2, she met the criteria and was well-suited for Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery,” explains Mrs Devalia.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass reduces the size of a person’s stomach, thereby restricting the amount of food it can hold, leading to the consumption of fewer calories. Next, part of the small intestine is rerouted so food bypasses a section of it. This means the body absorbs fewer calories and nutrients from food. The surgery also changes the level of certain hormones that control hunger and blood sugar.

“After surgery, levels of hormone that make you feel hungry (called ghrelin) drop, so you often feel less hungry overall. At the same time, hormones that help you feel full and control blood sugar increase.,” says Mrs. Devalia. “These hormonal changes can help reduce cravings, improve diabetes, and make it easier to lose weight and keep it off. It’s this combination of eating less, absorbing fewer calories and feeling less hungry that helps with long term weight loss and can improve several weight-related health conditions.”

Prior to coming to Cleveland Clinic London for surgery, Sara had participated in education sessions and followed a lifestyle modification programme. “We knew that many of her medical conditions, like her diabetes, sleep apnea and osteoarthritis, were directly related to her weight, and there was a good probability of reversing some of those conditions,” says Mrs Devalia.

Sara’s journey to surgery was lengthy, taking over four years due to COVID-related delays and personal challenges. But in April 2024, her determination paid off. “My first impression of Cleveland Clinic London was amazing. Everyone was so polite and friendly. I felt at ease,” Sara recalls. “The little touches, like having a teapot in my room, made a massive difference.”

The surgery went smoothly with no complications. “I didn’t even feel like I’d had an operation,” Sara says. “I only felt sick the first night from the anaesthesia, but the nurses took excellent care of me.”

Since her surgery, Sara has lost over 30 kilos and noticed significant improvements in her health. “My diabetes is gone, and the pain in my knee from osteoarthritis is nowhere near as bad. I can even put my own socks on now—that’s massive for me,” she says.

“Sara has adhered to the dietary and lifestyle recommendations and continues to make excellent progress,” says Mrs Devalia. “We provide follow-up care for two years post-op.”

Sara says the surgery has transformed her life. “Eating loads of food gave me short-term happiness, but how I feel now is long-term happiness,” she says. “It’s a small price to pay for a better quality of life.

“I feel like I was slowly killing myself before. This surgery has improved every aspect of my life,” she adds. “Mrs Devalia was incredible. She made me feel comfortable and supported every step of the way. No question ever seemed silly to her. She said I could message her even after I was discharged from her service.”

Mrs Devalia adds, “Bariatric surgery is not just about weight loss; it’s about improving health and quality of life. Sara’s journey shows how determination and the right support can lead to extraordinary outcomes.”