Transformation Update: 26th August 2019

This week, we celebrate the successful Weight Loss of Heidi Hayward. Here’s her story:

I have been yo-yo dieting since my teenage years as I always had issues with over eating and large portion sizes, I could never get the balance right. Each time I lost weight, I found the lowest weight I would get down to was slowly getting higher and higher each time I tried a new diet. Most of them worked but only for a short time, then I would put it all back on and more.

After my son was born in 2011, I got back down to my pre-baby weight quickly but once I returned to my busy full time work it crept back on again.

I reached my heaviest weight in early 2017 and was very unhappy. I finally decided enough was enough when my son started to notice that I wasn’t joining in on any family activities. It had been over a year since I had worn shorts, and I couldn’t remember the last time I had been swimming! The day he asked me why I never wanted to swim with him or play games with him was a real wake up call. I wasn’t living my full potential and I wasn’t being the mum I wanted to be.

My friend had been telling me about the surgery as she knew a few people who had found it successful and they had all used WLSA, so I jumped online and booked an appointment as I had run out of ideas. I didn’t have any health problems yet, but I knew it was only a matter of time before my weight would effect my health if I didn’t get get my weight back under control. The pre-surgery process was really informative, I even went along to a seminar before my appointment as I was still quite undecided. Hearing from people who were in all different stages of post-op was so reassuring. The biggest thing I took away from them all was the common thought amongst us “I wish I had done it sooner”, this helped me make up my mind.

I met with all the specialists at my first appointment, the surgeon, nurse and physiologist. Talking through the process was quite confronting as I had been hiding behind my increasing weight problem for some time. I even burst into tears when I left the surgeons office, not because of anything he said but simply because he had told me what I needed to hear. I decided on the gastric sleeve surgery based on how much weight I wanted to loose and booked my operation for Oct 25th 2017.

My family was so supportive of me from the beginning, especially my husband. He knew how important it was for me to feel better about myself and backed me all the way, even helping me through many moments of doubt leading up to the surgery. I couldn’t have done it without him!

The surgery went really well and recovery was surprisingly quite quick. WLSA kept in touch along the way, and would take any questions from me that I had. There were times I felt like I was calling and emailing daily but they were always there to put my mind at ease. I made sure I attended all my appointments, seeing the nurse, dietician and physiologist at each visit. The changes to my diet and intake were massive but my biggest hurdle was the emotional one.

I attended so many events after my surgery as part of the post-op process. WLSA did a supermarket tour to help us look for better options when doing our grocery shopping. We also did stand up paddle boarding where, I actually wore shorts! They did regular cooking lessons as well to show us great ways to make smaller portion meals for ourselves and families.

I met some really amazing people along the way and I have made some great lifelong friends. It’s nice to have the support network of others going through the same thing.

My biggest challenge throughout the process was to slow down my eating, I was a very fast eater as I was always in a rush. Not only couldn’t I eat fast after my surgery but I couldn’t eat a lot or it would make me feel ill so I had to learn to slow down and eat mindfully. I also couldn’t eat and drink at the same time as there wasn’t enough room in my tiny tummy so slowing down to allow room was so important. I still have to remind myself now, as a lifetime habit is hard to break!

16 months on I have lost 35 kilos, wear shorts and dresses again and even wear a bikini at the beach! I haven’t felt this good about my weight and appearance in over 10 years. I remember the surgeon saying what my goal weight should be and I laughed thinking it was unachievable, and then I got there 10 months after surgery, it was an amazing feeling.

I have made lots of changes to my daily routine. I go to the gym 2-3 times a week as I really enjoy it and it keeps me fit and toned. I love swimming with my son and have done indoor rock climbing and high ropes courses with him which I could never have done before. I finished the 10km gold coast marathon and also did a 22km charity walk for my work! It was exactly 12 months since I had done it the last time and I was so much healthier that it wasn’t such a struggle.

I can finally look in the mirror and like what I see, I was always happy but now I am happy inside and out. I can handle stress better as I have a clearer mind and feel more resilient. It’s funny because I was never happy with my body, even when I was younger but now I know how far I have come, and when I look in the mirror I am honestly proud of myself and my new image.
My son sees me come home from the gym and tells me I look fit and healthy so I feel like I’m setting a better example for him.

I cant wait to continue to do more fitness events and challenges and hope to do a “Tough Mudder” or “Raw” challenge as I get stronger.
I know this is a life long journey but the surgery was such a massive part to break the cycle I was in and has given me my life back.

If anyone is unsure and thinking about it, go and listen to a seminar and meet the people who have changed their lives for the better. Don’t delay another day – get back to living your best life sooner!

I’ve created this page because I want to make a difference. I’m inspired by the work of Tour de Cure Limited as trustee for Tour de Cure Trust, I wanted to support them by raising money as part of my participation in “Can4Cancer Brisbane 2019”.

Please help me, help them by giving whatever you can using the “Give Now” button. The more people that know about Tour de Cure Limited as trustee for Tour de Cure Trust, the greater their impact. So please spread the word by sharing my page with your friends and family. Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot!

#WeightLossWarrior,
Heidi Hayward.

From WLSA:

Congratulations from all of us at WeightLoss Solutions Australia.

Stephnie Van Diemen, Medical Receptionist of WeightLoss Solutions Australia

Find out which bariatric procedure(s) can help you lose weight effectively.

Start a confidential conversation with us on Messenger now.

*Disclaimer: Results may vary for each person

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Transformation Update

This week, we celebrate the successful Weight Loss of Heidi Hayward. Here’s her story:

After yo-yo dieting for years, working so hard to lose weight and then putting it all back on within weeks, I finally felt like I needed to do something more permanent about my weight loss when my 6 yr old son asked me “why don’t you ever come swimming with us, Mummy”.

I hadn’t worn swimmers or shorts for a long time and would often sit out while my son and husband did activities together as I was embarrassed about my body and was too unfit to do a lot of things.  I was carrying a lot of fluid, struggled to get down on the floor to play with him and just felt so unhappy.

A friend of mine was telling me about the surgery so I decided to go along to an information session at WLSA to find out more.  The common message from all the speakers was – why didn’t I do it sooner and I walked away thinking – why wait! I had my gastric sleeve surgery on 25th oct and 4 months later have a new lease on life.  22 kilos down, I have more energy, am going to the gym, swimming and playing with my son.

I feel healthy and happy knowing this time I am not slipping back into old habits. Thank you WLSA for all the support and guidance along this journey!

Heidi Hayward

#WeightLossWarrior

Message from WLSA:

‘Congrats Heidi! All of the hard work and determination has most definitely paid off. Keep kicking goals

Maddison Evans
Dietitian

Find out which bariatric procedure(s) can help you lose weight effectively. Start a confidential conversation with us on Messenger now

*Disclaimer: Results may vary for each person