REGARDING the feature about a couple who both had weight-loss surgery on the NHS (Echo, May 24), it makes a great story with the couple having gone through it together.

However, I can’t help thinking the feature is just a big advert for surgical intervention, which can have serious problems when it goes wrong.

I gained 14 stone due to comfort eating after having mental breakdowns.

My health suffered badly as I was almost 30 stone.

I had a bad back, sleep problems, dangerously high blood pressure and could do very little physically.

I was referred to an NHS dietician with limited success as they only saw me monthly.

I’d heard about Weight Watchers so I made a life changing decision and joined a class.

It hasn’t been an easy weight loss journey and very hard getting back to healthy eating, but just by eating normal foods I have now lost 13 stone and I’m back to good health.

It’s been a rollercoaster due to other emotional things going on in my life but never once have I given up.

I have never considered weight loss surgery – it isn’t natural.

Also, the thought of not being able to eat normal sized portions of food just isn’t appealing.

Colin Jones, Spennymoor.