Catharina Koutsofta shares her story

"Mondays were start the diet day - yep every Monday.
Twenty-five years later, I decided I can't do this on my own."

"I have always struggled with my weight but even though I was overweight I still managed to enjoy life and was a confident person. I had played with the idea of having gastric band surgery for many years but felt that was an extreme step and surely I could lose the weight by myself. Mondays were start the diet day – yep every Monday. 25 years later, I decided I can't do this on my own.

I remember the day I decided to have gastric band surgery very clearly, it was October 2009 and my family and I were on holiday in Phuket. My family decided to go elephant trekking, when we got there the Thai organiser pointed at me and said 'big lady, big elephant' meaning I had to go on the biggest elephant alone! I broke down in tears and thought 'Oh my god, I am too fat for the largest land animal on the planet!' .

Decision made! I had my surgery on 8th December 2009 weighing in at 107 kilos and a size 18. 35 kilos have gone, now I'm a size 12 and still counting.

In December 2010 we went back to Phuket and I got to enjoy my elephant ride sharing with my beautiful 16 year old daughter. I am finally in a bikini and loving every minute of each day.

Gastric band surgery has changed my life and the best advice I can give anyone is listen to your body. I have never been sick or had any issues with my band. My only regret is that I did not do it 10 years ago. My daughter and I go shopping together regularly and many times we try on the same clothes. It is wonderful. Life is great."