VANESSA Feltz has revealed that her gastric band left her in intensive care after it became embedded in her liver.
Appearing on today’s This Morning, the 57-year-old revealed that her recent three stone weight loss is a result of a gastric bypass, which she was recommended to get following the removal of her gastric band.
Describing her harrowing experience, the TV star said that she had been suffering from a number of worrying symptoms due to the band, which she got fitted in 2010, in the months leading up to her decision to go under the knife again.
Speaking to Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, the bubbly TV personality explained that after much hemming and hawing she agreed to get the surgery – although it didn’t go to plan and left her in intensive care in January.
Vanessa revealed that she ended up being in surgery for nearly five hours for the routine operation after the surgeon found that her gastric band had embedded in her liver and caused a hiatus hernia.
She said: “The symptoms from the gastric band were getting worse and worse. It was rather quite urgent to have it taken out. And I thought, ‘OK, let’s go for both at the same time.’
“Once he [the surgeon] got inside, it turned out that the gastric band had been thoroughly embedded in the liver and it had to be carefully dissected out – that took some time. It had also caused a hiatus hernia, which had to be repaired.
Leaving her family worried, she added: “Ben and my daughter Saskia went careering into the hospital saying, ‘Where’s mum?’ because I think I went down to theatre about 8.30am and I didn’t come out until after one in the afternoon.
“They were really concerned.
She continued: “Fortunately, he was able to get the band out and do the gastric bypass all in one operation. I came around in intensive care and felt pretty much worse for wear I must say, I didn’t feel great.
“I expected to do my normal bouncing back and I was waiting to bounce but I didn’t feel very bouncy for quite some time.”
Three months following the ordeal, Vanessa admitted that she’s back to full health and is happy with her weight loss.
Earlier this month, the star garnered much attention when she sported a slimmer physique at the Peppa Pig: Festival Of Fun gala screening.
The star has previously admitted her gastric band has caused her hell and she had to decide whether or not to get it removed.
She said last year: “It’s started acting up something chronic. I wasn’t even sure it had anything to do with the band.
“I was fast asleep and woke up and felt like I was drowning. My whole mouth, nose, ears, eyes seemed to be full of liquid.
Adding: “I don’t want to have it taken out. I’m scared I’ll suddenly eat and entire camel and a heard of elephants.
“It’s been restricting me for eight years. I can walk into any shop and buy a dress that fits. Plus I don’t want an operation for something I don’t want.
She concluded: “But the alternative sounds extreme. A bypass feels like a big deal.”
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