My name is Mark Morgan and I would like to share briefly my experiences with you: living with lifelong obesity, my gastric band and my life living with a band.

For most of my life I have battled with my weight. My obesity started at about the age of 2-3 years old. I grew up in a large family who all came from a professional catering background. Food was plentiful and always available. I firmly believe that this is where my love affair with food developed. In brief being obese made me so unhappy it controlled most aspects of my life.

When I was 30 I developed diabetes and had terrible diabetic control with high blood sugar levels all the time and had high blood pressure and cholesterol as well. I was taking lots of different drugs to control all these problems and felt unwell and tired all the time.

From a personal level and a health level I took the decision in December in 2004 at the age of 34 that enough was enough. I wanted my life back and after many years of unsuccessful weight loss and a massive body weight of 27 stone 5 pounds to have a gastric band.

After looking at all the bodies who offered this procedure, I decided on the Avon Obesity Service team at the Spire Hospital, Bristol to carry out the procedure. Without a shadow of a doubt, I made the right decision - it was the best money I have ever spent. The care from the team has been superb before, during and after the procedure.

I had my operation on March 21 2005. I was totally amazed how little food I was eating without being hungry and that was such a relief not being hungry all the time. My cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes have all returned to normal and you cannot put a price on that.

I am 6 months out now from my operation as I write this letter and my body weight is exactly 22 stone - I have lost about 5½ stone so far. I must point out it is so important to learn when you need a band fill on time. One time I got this wrong and gained 8 pounds in 3 weeks, but your body will tell you with experience. Following my second band fill I lost 9 pounds fairly quickly.

In brief having this band fitted was the best thing I have ever done from a psychological and a health point of view. I urge anyone who is thinking of or who has a band fitted to contact me through Avon Obesity Service. I have so much more to say that this letter is just not long enough.

Update: March 2007

Hi and greetings to anyone who is reading my testimonial! I have had my band fitted for 2 years as of 23rd march 2007 and overall I have lost approximately 14 stones. My blood sugar is below 5.0 and blood pressure is always normal. In a nutshell, for me, banding has given me my life and health back.

I have had very few problems along the way apart from reflux which was rectified after a few days by having a small adjustment, and have had very few problems with being sick. The only down side is that I have had to buy 6 different sizes of clothes in the past year and half - ok, not really a downside! My weight has settled at between 15 stone and 15 stone 7 pounds; however, I am carrying approximately 1½ stone of excess skin - I still haven't made up my mind if I'm going to get it removed.

I urge anyone who wants to know more to get in touch with me via the AOS contact form.