It began, as many life-changing journeys do, not with a single moment but with a slow build-up of small, difficult truths. For Nicola, daily discomfort had long since become the norm. Aches in her joints, a persistent bad back, and a growing sense that her body was holding her back from the life she wanted to live.
And then came the decision.
It wasn’t one made lightly. Surgery is never a simple choice. It’s often the result of months, even years, of contemplation, questions, and quiet frustration. Nicola had tried. She had researched. She had waited. And eventually, through a referral via the NHS, she found herself in the capable hands of Phoenix Health.
“I honestly can’t thank the Phoenix Health Team enough for all the support leading up to and following my operation. They not only put my mind at ease with my (considerable number) of worries—ranging from totally reasonable to gently unhinged—but also again post-op when I wasn’t sure if things were normal or needed seeing to. I’m certain at points I was likely a nuisance, but I was never made to feel like I was worrying too much or being a bit paranoid, and there was always a friendly voice at the end of a phone to reassure me that I was fine and things were progressing normally.”
At Phoenix, we work with patients from all backgrounds, some referred through the NHS, others coming to us privately. No matter the path, each journey is treated with the same level of care, compassion, and professionalism. Nicola was no exception.
Support, Reassurance, and Understanding—Every Step of the Way
From the outset, Nicola felt heard and supported, not just clinically, but emotionally. Surgery, after all, isn’t just a physical step; it’s an emotional leap. Behind every question, every late-night worry, is a very human need to feel reassured.
In the weeks leading up to her operation and throughout her recovery, Nicola’s concerns were met with patience, kindness, and clarity. Whether her worries were grounded or, as she described, “gently unhinged,” she never felt dismissed or brushed off. That ongoing reassurance, even in moments of doubt, our clinical team helped her move forward with confidence.
Hospital Care That Made a Lasting Impression
By the time Nicola arrived at the hospital for her weight loss procedure, she knew she was in good hands. But even so, she was surprised by just how much of a difference kindness could make.
“The care in the hospital was wonderful,” she said. “The nursing staff were so friendly and kind, I honestly couldn’t thank them enough.”
There’s something powerful about being cared for in a way that makes you feel safe. Not rushed. Not processed. But seen.
Small Shifts, Big Impact: The Everyday Wins After Surgery
And then the real change began.
Recovery can be slow, and often the biggest shifts don’t happen overnight. But over time, Nicola began to notice something remarkable. Not only was her body changing, but her life was too.
“Even 18 months on, I’m still amazed by how different my life looks.”
There were the big things, of course, improvements in her health, her energy levels, and her physical comfort. Aches and limitations that once defined her days were gone. But it was the smaller things that really stood out to her.
“The daft things. Like how far I sit from the steering wheel in my car now. Or that I can cross my legs at the knees.”
Tiny shifts, barely worth mentioning to anyone else, perhaps. But for Nicola, each was a signpost, proof of how far she’d come.
A Confidence Reborn
And with those changes came something else: joy.
“I’ve gone from hating having my photo taken and never wanting to buy clothes to having a very full and varied wardrobe and a camera roll full of full-length pictures I volunteered to have taken!”
That sense of freedom, to dress how you like, to be in front of a camera without dread, can feel like reclaiming a part of yourself you didn’t realise you’d lost.
She still scrolls through her before and after pictures sometimes, amazed by what she sees.
“I’ll never get bored of them,” she said, “Even if I don’t always recognise myself in the before shots.”
It’s not just a new body. It’s a new lease on life.
“I wouldn’t be literally half the woman I was without Phoenix.”
A Journey of Courage, Growth, and Kindness
Nicola’s journey is a reminder that transformations don’t just happen in operating theatres; they happen slowly, quietly, in the way you start to enjoy getting dressed again or sit more comfortably in your own skin. They happen in long walks that don’t leave you sore and photos where you finally see someone happy looking back at you.
At Phoenix Health, we’re proud to have been part of her weight loss story. Whether someone reaches us through an NHS referral or comes to us privately, our focus remains the same: to provide expert care rooted in empathy.
Nicola’s story isn’t unusual, but it is extraordinary in all the ways that matter. It’s a story of courage, change, and those wonderfully “daft little things” that end up meaning the most.
If Nicola’s story resonates with you, if you’re ready to step away from discomfort, fatigue, or frustration, Phoenix Health is here to support your next chapter. Call us today on 01244 738 159 or fill in our online enquiry form below. Let’s explore what’s possible together.
Medically Reviewed by Lujain Alhassan, BSc, ANutr
Registered Associate Nutritionist and Bariatric Nutrition
