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A London mum has explained how she lost over 11 stone to drop from a size 26 to a size eight. Christina Ajayi, 52, from southeast London, found her weight getting out of control as Covid hit - and soon realised she had to do something about it when her weight reached 22 stone. “I wasn’t always this big,” Christina remembers. “Before 2019 I was about a size 14 and had a job which I loved so much as a visual stylist and window dresser.” By late 2019, Christina, who has three children, was signed off work due to ongoing health issues. “By the time we hit 2020 and the pandemic, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and arthritis, at which point I had to have a few steroid injections,” she explains. “I soon started to gain weight, and on top of that got very depressed. “I spiralled, hitting my heaviest weight at 22 stone.” Christina’s doctors were worried for her health and suggested she go on the NHS waiting list for bariatric surgery. Doctors advised that her weight gain could lead to other health issues, like a heart attack or diabetes. “I wore baggy clothes so I would not be seen for what I really looked like,” Christina adds. “Deep down I was very sad, my knees hurt, my back became worse and my underlying health issues worsened due to the extreme weight I had gained. “I felt like a ticking time bomb, and had to take matters into my own hands as I couldn’t wait on the NHS any longer.” After being advised that the waiting list would be between six months and four years, Christina decided to opt for the surgery privately. Christina began to research alternative countries for the surgery, as going private in London was too expensive. “At this point, I felt I didn’t have the time to wait, so I took matters into my own hands and started my research,” she explains. “I investigated Mexico Bariatric Center but felt it was too far to travel, then I started to investigate Turkey. It took me a year to find Dr. HE Obesity clinic in Istanbul.” Christina spoke to other people who had experienced weight loss surgery at the clinic before she decided to have gastric sleeve surgery. “The surgeon creates a narrow sleeve by stapling the stomach vertically and removing the larger curved part of the stomach,” Christina explains. “The operation normally takes around 45 minutes to two hours depending on the individual. "The surgery has its challenges: you wake up in a lot of pain. "There were many times I questioned why I had done it, as you can only eat tiny portions of food. “For the first two weeks, you have to be on protein shakes from the hospital. “You then have to puree your food for the next two weeks. “That’s followed by soft food for the last two weeks before you can return to regular food but in smaller portions, as 70 to 80 per cent of your stomach has now been removed. “I saw results after about four weeks into recovery and started to notice a 14lbs loss each month, till I got to about 10 months at which it slowed down. “The surgery itself is very mentally challenging - you have to adopt a whole different mindset. “For me now, eating in smaller portions is key. “I still cannot eat and drink at the same time, and I have to wait at least 30 minutes to drink after eating as my stomach is now smaller." Christina’s life has been transformed since the surgery, not just concerning her appearance, but her lifestyle too. She dropped from a size 26 to a size eight, losing a massive 11st 5lbs in the process. She went from eating pizza, McDonald’s and fried foods at meals, with plenty of chocolate, cakes and sweets for snacks, to choosing brown rice, vegetables, fish and meat for meals, with nuts and fruits as snacks instead. “Life is so much more enjoyable now,” Christina adds. “I can now go on rides at theme parks with my kids which I couldn't do before due to my weight. “The key here is to adopt a healthy relationship with food. “At my heaviest, I weighed in at 22 stones. I felt like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off any day. “It has also lowered the risk of other health issues: I feel less pain in my knees, for example. “I feel so much more in control and happier, and I have my self-confidence which I lost while I was heavier. “I became a secret binge eater - I am so glad this is not the case anymore. “No more secret binge eating at night when my family has gone to bed! “I now eat in moderation, drink lots of water, exercise portion control, weight train, exercise, walk, but don’t over-exhaust myself as I have fibromyalgia which causes chronic fatigue. “I now also experience body dysmorphia since losing all this weight. “I still go into the shops and buy big sizes and then have to return them for smaller sizes. “I guess my body hasn’t caught up with my brain yet! “I feel fantastic - I have a new lease of life and am living life to the fullest. “My friends and family were very shocked, but extremely happy and over the moon for me. “They have also brought to my attention that I have a new confidence which is brilliant. “I am so grateful for having bariatric surgery and I believe it saved my life.” Featuring: Christina Ajayi When: 24 Jul 2024 Credit: Christina Ajayi/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. 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