The UK recently hosted its Miss Bariatric beauty pageant, a unique event celebrating the transformative journeys of 20 women who have undergone weight-loss surgery. With one in four adults in the UK classified as obese, many individuals grapple with weight management despite years of diet attempts. While newer weight-loss jabs offer a temporary solution, their effects can be reversed upon cessation, and long-term side effects remain largely unknown. Bariatric surgery, however, presents a more permanent solution for significant weight loss and improved health.

Various bariatric surgery options are available. A gastric sleeve involves removing a substantial portion of the stomach to create a smaller, banana-shaped tube. A gastric band utilizes an adjustable silicone ring placed around the stomach to restrict food intake. A gastric bypass reconfigures the digestive system by creating a small stomach pouch and connecting it directly to the small intestine. Less invasive options include a swallowable gastric balloon, which is inflated in the stomach. Studies indicate an average weight loss of 14.9 percent of body weight after gastric banding and 28.4 percent after a bypass over several years. While highly effective, all surgical procedures carry inherent risks like blood clots, and bariatric surgery specifically can lead to long-term risks such as nutritional deficiencies and gallstones.

Access to bariatric surgery in the UK can be complex. Although some individuals qualify for NHS treatment (with a BMI over 40, or 35-40 with a related health condition like type 2 diabetes), long waiting lists often compel many to seek private care. Private surgery costs range from approximately £2,000 for a gastric balloon to £15,000 for a gastric bypass. The Miss Bariatric competition, held at the Macdonald Frimley Hall Hotel in Surrey, crowned two winners: Miss Bariatric UK (ages 18-35) and Ms Bariatric UK (ages 36 and above), symbolizing empowerment and profound life changes.

The stories of the finalists underscore the profound impact of bariatric surgery. Katie Daniel, 36, who retired on health grounds, had a heart attack at 25 and was diagnosed with heart failure, with her heart functioning at only 17 percent. Weighing 42 stone at her heaviest, she used a wheelchair and couldn't fit on theme park rides. After an initial gastric sleeve and a subsequent revision to a gastric bypass on the NHS, she lost a remarkable 28 stone, improving her heart function to 50 percent and ditching her wheelchair, gaining newfound confidence.

Harriet Southan, 35, a make-up artist, struggled to keep up with her son, Freddie, who has ADHD, due to her weight. Humiliated after being told she was too large for a fairground ride, she tried numerous fad diets unsuccessfully. She privately paid £10,500 for a gastric sleeve, losing over 11 stone and transforming from 20 stone 5lb to 9 stone 3lb. Now, she actively participates in her son's life, plays football, goes trampolining, and even completed the world's fastest zip line, raising £600 for charity, a feat unimaginable before her surgery.

Christina Ajayi, 53, an events planner, was warned by her doctor about a "life or death" situation due to her weight, which escalated after giving birth to twins and being diagnosed with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. Her weight led to her children being bullied and affected her career prospects. In January 2022, she opted for a private gastric sleeve for £3,000, losing 14 stone and dropping from a size 28 to an 8. Her arthritis improved, medication reduced, and sleep apnoea resolved, allowing her to enjoy activities like camel rides on holiday and feel truly alive.

Kat Ornsby, 37, a performance operations manager, gained 10 stone during IVF treatment. A comment from her son Axel at Legoland—asking her not to join a ride lest she 'squash him'—was a turning point. She privately paid £2,900 for a gastric sleeve in June 2022, losing over 11 stone and going from a size 24 to a size 8. This newfound confidence propelled her to apply for senior management roles, leading to two promotions. She now enjoys family holidays, freely participates in rides with Axel, and organizes social events for others who have undergone bariatric surgery.

Sherine Lionel, 32, a service manager for a healthcare company, struggled with weight since childhood, exacerbated by a thyroid condition and relationship break-ups. The realization of her significant weight gain came during a trip to the Scottish Highlands when she barely recognized herself in a photo. Following a private gastric sleeve surgery in September 2023, she lost half her body weight, transforming from 21 stone to 10 stone 7lb. She now boasts increased energy, enjoys outdoor activities, sleeps better, and no longer feels ashamed or embarrassed in her own skin.

Georgie Cook, 33, a full-time mum of five, developed heart failure during Covid, which was worsened by her lifelong struggle with weight. Simple activities like walking or climbing stairs caused breathlessness and palpitations. Terrified for her children's sake, she underwent a private gastric sleeve for £3,400 in September 2022. Losing almost 9 stone (from 17 stone 7lb to 9 stone), she significantly reduced the strain on her heart, with an ECG showing great improvement. She is now confident, active with her children, and no longer needs her son to help with tasks like putting on socks.

The overall winner of Miss Bariatric, Jessie Andrews, 32, a social media manager, once lacked confidence and hid behind humor at 17 stone 1lb. Diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, she tried numerous diets without lasting success. She privately booked a gastric sleeve in January 2023, losing over 7 stone. Her self-confidence has soared, leading her to find love, embark on a goal to climb 12 mountains in 12 months, and aspire to become a bariatric coach. She celebrated her win as a testament to her profound personal achievements.

Pamela Phillips, 42, who works in the wellbeing industry and was crowned Ms Bariatric, described a turning point when a stranger's comment about her resemblance to Gemma Collins (a reality TV star known for her weight) crushed her. Having struggled with weight and yo-yo dieting since 17, and even trying weight-loss jabs, she sought a permanent solution with a private gastric sleeve. She shed nearly 10 stone, transforming from 20 stone 8lb to 11 stone, feeling "21 again." Pamela co-founded Barifest, the UK’s first weight-loss festival, aimed at celebrating transformation and empowering others, echoing the collective sentiment of the pageant participants who finally found their moment in the limelight.