National’s deputy leader Paula Bennett has spoken out on social media about her gastric bypass surgery, saying "it has been the hardest thing physically I have ever done."
Bennett took to Facebook last night to make a personal post, 12 months after the procedure that saw her drop 50kg.
She said it was a "drastic" thing to do but it has been life-changing.
“I feel exactly the same and completely different! Completely the same because I haven’t changed, I’m not happier or more confident, I’m the same. Completely different because I’m healthier and have more energy.”
She said it was never about the weight.
“My weight doesn’t define who I am and it still doesn’t.”
She also took the opportunity to answer the most asked questions about her surgery and her weight loss.
"Yes I eat differently and much less" and "No I don’t have huge amounts of extra skin."
But she says she still drinks wine and can have chocolate or a meat pie.
She ends the post with, “Yes I know I am over sharing!!!” and she thanked the public for their kind words over the year.
Gastric bypasses involve making a small pouch from the upper stomach, meaning people feel fuller despite eating less.
The surgery takes up to three hours to complete and are normally done through keyhole surgery.
Combined with a healthy diet and exercise they can lead to dramatic weight loss and improved quality of life.
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