Kelly Cawthra had battled with her weight for years so asked her GP to refer her for weight loss surgery – but was left stunned by his shocking response
A Bradford mum was left stunned by her GP’s brutal weight loss advice, which ultimately spurred her on to shed an incredible eight stone. Kelly Cawthra had sought medical help for her weight issues and was shocked when her doctor suggested: “If I locked you in a cell for a year without feeding you, would you lose weight? “.
The 43 year old, who runs KL Beauty and Aesthetics in Cleckheaton, had been battling the bulge since the birth of her first child in 2000, with her weight yo-yoing despite various diets and exercise attempts. After hitting a high of 16 stone 11 pounds post-pregnancy, Kelly admitted: “I tried various diets and exercise routines, but nothing seemed to work,” expressing her frustration over the fleeting nature of her initial diet successes.
Kelly’s journey saw her join Weight Watchers and at one stage she managed to drop four stone, but the victory was short-lived as restrictive eating plans led to a rebound. She reflected on the experience, saying, “I managed to lose a lot of weight at one point, but it slowly crept back because the diets were so restrictive,” highlighting the emotional toll of seeing her progress slip away.
She explained: “It turned out my portion sizes were the issue. I didn’t realise how much I was eating. I enjoyed eating and drinking, and I didn’t think my diet was that bad.”
After years of battling with her weight and unsuccessful yo-yo dieting, Kelly sought help from her GP in the hope of getting a referral for bariatric surgery, given her obese BMI of 37.9. However, she was met with a response that left her feeling let down and disheartened, reports Yorkshire Live.
Recalling the encounter, she said: “I asked about bariatric surgery, and he refused. He asked me: ‘If I locked you in a cell for a year and didn’t feed you, would you lose weight? ‘”.
“I was shocked. It was so dismissive and unhelpful. I walked out feeling completely deflated. But that moment also lit a fire in me. I wanted to prove him wrong, to show that I had the strength and determination to achieve my goals on my own terms.”
The turning point came when one of Kelly’s clients came into her salon looking remarkably thinner. Curious about the dramatic change, Kelly asked: “She had lost a lot of weight, and I was eager to know her secret,” Kelly recounted.
“She told me she had gone to Weight Loss Riga for a gastric sleeve.”
Feeling inspired by her client’s success, Kelly made a decisive move: “I was so inspired by her transformation that I booked my own surgery that very day. I flew out to Riga that weekend and had the surgery done on the Monday.”
Kelly took the bold step of undergoing a mini gastric bypass at Weight Loss Riga in Latvia, a move that has completely revolutionised her life. The procedure, which set her back roughly £4,980 including travel and stay, was a bargain compared to what she would have had to fork out in the UK.
Kelly reflected on the price difference, saying: “In the UK, it would have cost me upwards of £10,000, and honestly, I couldn’t have afforded it.”
The transformation is nothing short of dramatic; Kelly has dropped nearly eight stone and now maintains a svelte figure at 9st 1lb. Her wardrobe has undergone an equally impressive overhaul, with her dress size tumbling from a 20 down to a trim 6 to 8.
But the change isn’t just about appearances; Kelly’s social and emotional well-being has soared, bolstered by the camaraderie of fellow patients. These days, she’s out and about more, no longer feeling like “the fat friend”.
“I wish I had done it sooner,” Kelly admits. “I feel amazing now. I’m more confident, and I’m enjoying my life so much more. After years of hiding behind baggy clothes, I can wear pieces I never thought I could like bikinis and bodycon dresses, and I no longer feel self-conscious.”
Looking back, Kelly’s previous lifestyle seems a world away. She recalls her old diet: “Before, I would have toast with butter and jam for breakfast, a supermarket meal deal of a sandwich, crisps and sugary fizzy drink for lunch, and a big cooked meal for dinner such as a massive portion of lasagne,” she shared.
“I would snack constantly on sweets and crisps throughout the day, and would indulge in more crisps after dinner at night.”
“Now, I’m much more mindful of what I eat. Breakfast might be a slice of toast with butter, but I spread it out throughout the morning. Lunch is lighter, like a soup with some crisps, and I still have a home-cooked meal every night, such as a jacket potato and fish, but my portion sizes are much smaller.”
“People see the change in me and ask how I did it. I always tell them about my experience and many of them have ended up getting surgery too and turning their lives around.”
“I don’t regret a thing,” Kelly added. “Life is too short to feel unhappy in your own skin. I’m living proof that change is possible, and it’s never too late to take that first step.”
