Lee Clark says her husband Eddie's reaction to her weight loss was priceless(Image: Lee Clark / SWNS)

'I lost 12 stone in just 9 months and my husband's reaction was priceless'

Lee Clark, from Scotland, is sharing her weight loss story after struggling with several health issues which affected her home life- she went from a size 32 to a size 18 in less than a year

by · The Mirror

A determined mum has revealed her mega weight loss transformation after she lost 12 stone in just nine months.

Lee Clark, 38, from North Lanarkshire, Scotland, says her husband has joked that she looks like a new woman after the drastic change. The mum, who used to weigh 29 stone 6 lbs, was unable to shift her weight. She suffered from a series of health issues such as arthritis in her knees and sleep apnoea.

After feeling "guilty" about struggling to play with her five-year-old daughter, Skylar, she decided to take further action. The mum-of-one decided to fly to Izmir, Turkey, to get a gastric sleeve which saw her drop from a staggering size 32 to a size 18. She forked out £3,500 for the surgery which helped her lose a total of 12st 7lbs.

Her husband Eddie, 43, jokes he's having an affair with another woman as she now weighs 16st 13lbs. Lee, a call centre handler, from Bellshill, 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."

Lee used to be a size 32( Image: Lee Clark / SWNS)
Lee wanted to make a change for her daughter Skylar( Image: Lee Clark / SWNS)

Eddie, a forklift 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 added: "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. I had sleep apnea and would snore quite loudly. No matter what diets I tried nothing worked for me." Lee started looking into weight loss surgery 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."

Lee looks completely different following the change( Image: Lee Clark / SWNS)
Lee is enjoying time with her family more since her weight loss( Image: Lee Clark / SWNS)

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 the big difference it feels amazing. I feel great." "Strangers say I look great. My daughter has noticed the difference. She says 'hello skinny mum'." Lee hasn't changed her diet drastically but can't eat the large portions she used to.

Lee is happier with her health( Image: Lee Clark / SWNS)
Eddie joked that he has been given a brand new wife( Image: Lee Clark / SWNS)

She said: "I wouldn't eat at regular times. I'd eat later. I can't eat the crusts of a sandwich. I have a saucer or a side plate [portion of food]." Lee now feels more confident to go the park with her daughter and go out and socialise. "Now I'm not shy to go to a swing park. I'm jumping on the swings as well," she said. 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.

The mum 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. "Everybody is different. What worked for me might not work for others," she said. "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."

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