Obsessive eater turns to staples

Denise Townsend of Leicestershire says she has lost a stone a month since she had her stapling operation last year.

She now weighs 15 stone (210 lbs) and is setting up a support group for people who cannot stop eating.

Denise, who lives at Broughton Astley in Leicestershire, was so troubled by her weight problem that she tried to commit suicide.

Last resort

"I wanted to die because I hated myself," Denise said.

"I would eat a full breakfast, and later in the morning eat a sausage sandwich, cakes, crisps, pop and wine.

"I have tried all my life to count the calories, but it just didn't click," she said.

Denise said when she realised that dieting was a waste of time, she decided to have her stomach stapled as a last resort.

But the waiting list for the NHS was so long she took out a £8,000 loan to pay for the operation privately.

Since her stapling operation, Denise says her calorie intake has plummeted, and her stomach has been reduced to the size of a lemon.

Dr Sukhbir Ubhi, Denise's consultant surgeon, said obsessive eaters considering surgery also needed to address their emotional need for food.

"People have to start looking at obesity as a disease, they have to realised that they are addicted to food like others are addicted to nicotine or alcohol."

Denise says she can now manage on 600 calories a day.