My husband feels like he’s having an affair with a new woman after I shed 12st in nine months
A MUM who shed 12 STONE in just nine months says her husband feels like he’s having an affair with a new woman because she looks so unrecognisable.
Lee Clark, 38, has always struggled with her weight and tipped the scales at 29st 6lbs and wore a size 32 at her biggest.
The mum-of-one constantly felt “guilty” because she struggled to play with her daughter, Skylar, five – and was battling arthritis in her knees and sleep apnoea too.
After hearing about friends’ successful weight loss surgeries she decided to look into it herself.
Lee flew to İzmir, Turkey, in February 2024 for a £3,500 gastric sleeve which helped her lose 12st 7lbs.
Now 16st 13lbs and able to slip into a size 18, Lee feels like a new woman and says her husband, Eddie Clark, 43, jokes he’s having an affair with another woman.
Lee, a call centre handler, from Bellshill, Lanarkshire, said: “My husband says ‘you look amazing’.
“He says ‘I fell in love with you when you were bigger but I love that you’re doing this for you’.
“He made the joke that he feels like he’s having an affair with another woman because I have lost a [huge] amount of weight.”
Eddie, a fork lift driver, added: “It’s like I’m having an affair.
“Probably from behind people are thinking ‘who it this?’
“People do a double take because it’s such a short period of time. We went to one of my best friend’s weddings last June and they hadn’t seen her since then.
“Their faces dropped with astonishment.
“She’s got a spring her step. She’s always had a big personality but a bigger personality is coming out of her.”
Lee has always been a “big girl” and despite trying endless diets she always found herself gaining weight.
She said: “Becoming a mum, I felt guilty. I couldn’t play on the swings or slide with her.
“I had quite a lot of health issues too. I had sleep apnoea and would snore quite loudly.
“No matter what diets I tried nothing worked for me.”
Lee started looking into weight loss surgeries options in October 2023 after hearing about her friends’ experiences.
She said: “The doctor said I would be lucky to see the next five years without any help – a mobility scooter or something.”
After a consultation with İzmir Ekol Hospital – which has a base in the UK – Lee felt “excited” to go for surgery.
She said: “I was buzzing. It felt like there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Lee flew to Turkey in February for her gastric sleeve – which involves cutting out 80 per cent of the stomach.
She was given a diet plan following the surgery and lost nearly three stone in the first few weeks.
Gradually she began to see more weight drop of her – and is now a healthier 16st 13lbs.
Lee said: “At the start I didn’t really notice the difference.
“Now that I am seeing it, it feels amazing. I feel great.”
“Strangers say I look great and my daughter has noticed the difference. She says ‘hello skinny mum’.”
Lee hasn’t changed her diet drastically either, but can’t eat the large portions she used to.
She added: “I can’t eat the crusts of a sandwich and I have a saucer or a side plate [portion of food].”
Lee's change in diet
Diet before
Breakfast: Toast and eggs/cereal
Lunch: Sandwich
Dinner: Chinese – curry, rice, chips and noodles (split with her husband)
Diet now
Breakfast: Slice of toast and poached egg
Lunch: Crackers/ homemade soups/ tuna pasta
Dinner: Meat, potatoes and vegetables
The surgery has come with its mental challenges but Lee has also seen the positive health impacts – and can now walk up the stairs without getting out of breath.
She said: “Before being a teen – I’ve never got a regular period. I was lucky if I got it two to three times a year.
“Now since February I have a regular period like clock work.”
Lee hopes to inspire others with their weight loss journeys – and that the surgery route can be life-changing.
She said: “Everybody is different. What worked for me might not work for others.
“If they go down the same route it is mentally challenging.
“Once you get used to it and see the results you feel amazing.
“I never feel hungry. I lost over what I expected. I’m happy with where I am now.
“It’s the best decision I made.”