Adrian Sweeney from Morecambe and Ian Ridley from Lancaster both underwent bariatric surgery which involves two operations.

During the first operation the majority of the stomach is removed and the second operation involves connecting a small section of the bowel and attaching it to the new smaller stomach, bypassing the intestines
This helps to make weight loss possible and to maintain a healthy weight.

The pair now weigh 19.5 stone and 12.5 stone respectively, and although they attend a support group in Preston, and have had the support of the Weight Loss Surgery charity, they both feel that people in Morecambe, Lancaster and the surrounding area need a group to attend for help and advice.

Thirty-seven-year-old Adrian and forty-three-year-old Ian both endured years of taunts and comments by passers-by in the street, and were unable to go to the cinema, get on a bus, or do any of the things most people take for granted.

Adrian said: "I remember at school having problems finding blazers and trousers, my weight and size meant I had to have adult blazers at the age of 11, and as I grew older, my size increased.

"By the age of 16 and leaving school I had reached the 15 stone mark."
Ian said: "I have always been on the large side but was never too big and did an awful lot of sports as a child.

"However, in my late twenties I had a terrifying car crash which left me with spinal injuries which I will never recover from.

"I slowly gained weight over the years until I reached a massive 32 stone and with multiple complications such as diabetes, I was looking at an early grave."

The pair persevered and went to see their respective GPs about the possibiliity of getting bariatric surgery and were referred to a surgeon for consultation in Liverpool.

Adrian by this time was able to research further into the operation on the internet as there was a charity website called WLSinfo.org.uk.
This had been set up by a man called Ken Clare who himself had bariatric surgery in 2003.

This helped Adrian so much, offered him advice and provided him with a link to people who were going through the same as himself.

The website is a registered charity and currently has around 11,000 members and provides assistance from around 25 support groups nationwide.

Unfortunately when Ian was going through the procedures of getting the operation the internet was not available, and he only had his wife and family for support and understanding.

Ian was actually the first person in the Morecambe and Lancaster area to have this type of surgery.

Some people needing the operations can go through the NHS which costs between £12,000 and £14,000.

The operation can also be done privately at a cost to the patient.
As a result of the operations they have had, both men have to eat a high protein diet and have to take extra vitamins and calcium every day.

Adrian said: "We both feel that this operation is not a quick fix thing to do for cosmetic reasons and there are specific guidelines that have to be met before you can even be considered for this or any bariatric surgery.

"We are so passionate about our surgery and its change to our lives, that we are looking to set up a local support group of the WLSinfo.org.uk helped by our wives Heather and Leanne."

Adrian has set up a group in Preston and Ian helps where he can but they feel that there is a need for a group in Morecambe or Lancaster where anyone can come for help and support from those people who have been there.

Adrian said: "Our only problem is that we do not currently have a venue at which to hold the meetings and are looking for someone to assist us in our plight.

"We just need somewhere we can hold meetings for one evening a month, for a couple of hours.

"The meetings would be very informal and we're not medical people. We do have guest speakers coming in and dietitians to help with follow-up treatment."

Ian said: "We're not judgmental, we just want to help."

Adrian added: "It's such an important issue, and an increasing one, that we want people to know there is help out there."

*For more information on weight loss or if you can help with a venue locally for a support group, contact Adrian via email at adrian_sweeney31@hotmail.com, or telephone 07814 849222.

Ian can be contacted via email at bishopridley@talktalk.net or telephone 07717 402869.

Visit www.wlsinfo.org.uk for more information on the weight loss charity.

The next meeting for the West Lancs support group is on the second Wednesday of every month between 7pm and 9.30pm at the Education Centre, Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, Preston.