James Argent begins weight loss journey with gastric surgery: ‘Today is the first day of the rest of my life’

James Argent is ready for a new life after getting a gastric sleeve fitted in a bid to shed 11 stone and stay slim.

The Only Way Is Essex star, 33, had half his stomach removed last week after his weight peaked at 27st during lockdown.

While James admits his battle isn’t over, he is looking forward to a new start.

Sharing a picture of himself in his hospital bed, the reality star wrote on Instagram: ‘Today is the first day of the rest of my life. My weight loss journey has started.

‘I’ve had my gastric sleeve surgery with the incredible team at @wearetransform. I’ve struggled with my weight for years but I’m finally ready both physically & mentally to do something about it.

‘The next few months are going to be tough but I’m determined to reclaim my life! New chapter.’

While James is happy to have undergone the £10,000 procedure, he admits he was apprehensive and asked the surgeon if there was a chance he wouldn’t survive.

He told The Sun: ‘This is the biggest operation I’ve ever had in my life, so I was scared.

‘I did say to the surgeon, “Is there a chance I might not wake up?” He said there was a small chance.’

James went on to have an ‘uncomfortable’ recovery, saying he’s been vomiting blood since and is unable to have solid food for six weeks.

He said: ‘It is quite scary when you’re just randomly being sick and you’re seeing lots of blood come up.

‘Just dealing with trapped wind is really uncomfortable. They encouraged me to keep burping to get wind out, but you can’t even fart.’

Arg had been trying to lose weight on his own accord but was told by doctors he could be in serious trouble if he tested positive for coronavirus.

He said during an appearance on Good Morning Britain: ‘I’m currently at 27st. I’ve been speaking regularly to the doctors and nurses at Transform Hospital Group. They’ve been giving me advice.

‘They’ve basically been saying, the size I am at the moment, it could be fatal. If I was to catch Covid, I could be a goner.’

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