**Swansea Woman Sheds Eight Stone – and Gains a New Lease on Life**
A woman from Swansea has shared the remarkable story of her transformation after losing eight stone, stating that one major lifestyle shift made all the difference. Lynsey Copp, 45, now radiates a confidence she never thought possible, after decades spent battling weight-related challenges and societal stigma.
Lynsey’s weight struggles began in early childhood. Throughout her school years, she found herself the target of cruel taunts from peers, who nicknamed her after an overweight cartoon character. These experiences, she recalls, left lasting scars and shaped her self-worth well into adulthood. “I was always known as ‘the big girl in the group’,” Lynsey shared, adding that even local residents would comment on her appearance, often framing compliments with backhanded remarks. “Neighbours would say, ‘You’ve got such a pretty face – it’s just a shame about your size.’”
Despite numerous attempts to slim down via various diets and prescription weight-loss jabs, including medication like Saxenda, the weight persisted—and in fact, continued to climb. At her heaviest, Lynsey tipped the scales at 21 stone 6lbs and could only just squeeze into a size 26 outfit. She admitted that comfort eating, crisps especially, had become a coping mechanism.
The turning point for Lynsey came when her father, Michael Copp, was diagnosed with early-onset dementia. The experience prompted her to reflect on her own health and future, especially given her physically demanding role working with children with autism. Discovering that weight-loss injections were ineffective for her, she saved up £10,000 for a private gastric sleeve operation in Birmingham in July 2024—a decision she now credits with saving her life.
Undergoing the surgery, which removed around three-quarters of her stomach, was just the beginning. Lynsey was determined to overhaul her lifestyle completely. “You don’t just wake up thin after surgery. It’s a tool, not a solution,” she emphasised. Post-operation, she adopted a high-protein, portion-controlled diet and prioritised movement, committing to regular swimming, gym sessions, and walking as much as 16,000 steps daily.
Lynsey’s day-to-day eating habits changed dramatically. Breakfast went from two slices of toast to protein yoghurt, lunches replaced calorific snacks and sandwiches with boiled eggs and salads, and dinners became lighter, such as home-cooked vegetable soup. Notably, she eliminated all snacking between meals—something she says was central to her success.
The results have been nothing short of transformative. Within a year, Lynsey shed eight stone and now comfortably wears a size 14 for the first time in her adult life. The weight loss has not only improved her physical health, allowing her to recover quickly from the operation and maintain high energy levels, but has also had a profound effect on her mental wellbeing.
Newfound confidence has been one of the most significant benefits. The drastic weight loss enabled her to finally pursue driving – something she’d previously avoided out of fear of not fitting behind the wheel. “I’d never even tried before because I was so sure I wouldn’t fit,” she revealed. Now, Lynsey is taking lessons and relishing the independence it brings. She also completed a BA degree in Inclusive Education at the University of Trinity St David in Carmarthen and secured a promotion at work—achievements she attributes to her newfound self-assurance.
Lynsey is the first to admit that the journey has been emotionally taxing at times. “Sometimes, I catch my reflection and don’t even recognise myself,” she confessed. Old habits, such as reaching for larger clothing sizes in shops, linger as her mind continues to adjust to her changed body. She initially kept the surgery a closely guarded secret, telling only her partner and close family members for support.
Reflecting on her journey, Lynsey encourages others to see weight-loss surgery not as an easy fix, but as the start of a serious commitment to long-term change. She said, “A gastric sleeve isn’t a magic bullet. It requires daily effort and a sound mindset. Your life changes, but so must your habits and thinking.”
Her story has inspired others battling similar challenges, illustrating the powerful impact that a combination of medical intervention, personal discipline, and a strong support network can have on regaining health and confidence. For Lynsey, the transformation goes far beyond the numbers on the scale; she now feels truly alive and ready to embrace the opportunities that once seemed out of reach.