How a charity funded research role is supporting innovative studies for bariatric surgery patients

Lucy Huppler Thanks to your support, a new research role has been funded to help support patients recovering from weight loss surgery.
Lucy Huppler

Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is a powerful tool to improve health outcomes for patients. It can have a hugely positive impact on a person’s health and wellbeing; helping them to lose extra weight and lower the risk of potentially life-threatening health problems such as certain cancers, heart disease and strokes.

Our charity funded Research Fellow and surgical registrar, Miss Lucy Huppler, is working in partnership with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Bristol University, to study the effects of exercise as part of the patient journey. She is working under the supervision of Mr Oliver Old, Consultant Bariatric Surgeon at Gloucester Hospital. The research will help to educate, demonstrate and support patients in resetting their physical activity after bariatric surgery.

Lucy’s preliminary work has shown a real need and desire for this type of advice after surgery. “Bariatric surgery allows patients to experience life in a very different way to what they did prior to treatment. It has drastic changes on their body and it is important they understand the type of exercises that can be introduced in a safe way, that will benefit them the most, after surgery. We are working with patients to design a programme they can manage; something that is completely individual to this group of patients.”

“We are hoping this study will help to transform the lives of our patients; helping them to become happier and healthier, both after their surgery and in the future. Each year around 100 people have this type of surgery in Gloucester and we are very grateful to supporters of the charity for making this role possible. I’m looking forward to sharing more of our findings in the future!”

Thank you to everyone who donates to help fund groundbreaking research to improve the patient experience at our hospitals.

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