Katie, who has PCOS, now has two kids (Picture: PA Real Life)

Office manager Katie Newman was 21 when she was diagnosed with the hormonal condition polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can cause problems with fertility.

Katie was told that at a size 22 and weighing 18 stone 7lb, she would need to lose weight to become pregnant.

After three years of yo-yo dieting Katie, now 31, booked 5,000 gastric band surgery, which saw her shed eight stone.

Since then, Katie has had two daughters, Hollie, two, and Lucy, two months, with her electrician husband, Anthony, 32.

Katie, from Southampton, said: Without a doubt the gastric band enabled me to have children. If I hadnt had it done I might not have my girls.

With the PCOS and my weight combined it would have been next to impossible to conceive.

It was the best 5,000 Ive ever spent.

Katie experienced irregular periods, which led her to see a doctor in 2010.

With a body mass index (BMI) higher than the NHS recommended range of 18.5 to 24.9, Katie was classed as extremely obese.

Blood tests revealed she had PCOS, which stops the ovaries from regularly releasing eggs.

Doctors warned Katie that her weight would make it very difficult for her to conceive naturally and she was also told she would be unlikely to qualify for NHS fertility treatment unless she lost weight.

After being diagnosed with PCOS, Katie who was already seeing Anthony was told that losing just 5% of her body weight could improve her symptoms.

Katie said: Doctors said PCOS couldnt be cured, but that if I lost weight it could really improve my chances of falling pregnant.

I tried all the usual diets but nothing worked.

Booking a consultation at a private clinic in 2014, Katie decided to put 5,000 from her savings to have a gastric band operation.

Discharged the next day, Katie noticed a difference immediately.

Katie, who now eats three well-balanced meals a day containing around 1,000 calories, saw her weight slowly and steadily reduce.

By the time she walked down the aisle, Katie was down to her desired size.

She said: I cut out anything remotely bad for me and was also seeing a personal trainer four times a week, I was so determined to look amazing.

I never dreamed Id be able to wear a strapless dress but I felt like a real princess.

My hubby was certainly shocked by my transformation, but I think it was my commitment that really blew him away.

He always says hell love me no matter what size I am.

Ive also noticed a huge difference in my confidence. Ive always been the life and soul of the party, but it was a bit of an act before and now I dont have to pretend.

In mid-2017, a check-up at the doctors revealed that Katies hormone levels had regulated and less than a year after tying the knot, she discovered she was pregnant.

I was on my lunch break, suffering with really bad period cramps and thought Id give a test a go, said Katie.

I was so shocked when it came back positive that I told my best friend at work before Ant!

It was a few weeks before Christmas, so I unwrapped one of his pressies and put the positive test in there.

We were laughing with shock all day he didnt even notice any of his other presents.

The couple celebrated Hollies arrival in August 2018 and a year later, Katie fell pregnant again.

She added: That was definitely a surprise, albeit a welcome one.

Id been on a massive bender and was convinced I had a four-day hangover, but then the penny dropped and on June 22 this year, I gave birth to Lucy.

Katie says she still has some baby weight left but isnt obsessing over it and is just enjoying motherhood.

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Size 22 woman told she was too fat to conceive now has two kids - Metro.co.uk

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