ALISON Polzin’s goal of walking the Grand Canyon is now more achieveable after having lap-band surgery in February.

Mrs Polzin, from Kingsthorpe, was the first person to have the surgery at a Toowoomba hospital.

Until this year the service was only available at major centres including Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

In the procedure a gastric band is wrapped around the top part of the stomach to reduce the stomach size so patients can control their hunger.

Private surgeon Dr Evan Willingham, who has rooms at St Vincent’s Hospital, believes Toowoomba has the population to warrant the service.

“They can have the procedure done in town and done by a surgeon available locally. Lap-band operations require regular follow-up visits and the patients do not have to travel to Brisbane for a check-up,” he said.

Dr Willingham said the surgery was successful in helping people to be healthy again.

Mrs Polzin was a diabetic, an asthmatic, had shin splints and regularly sustained hairline fractures in her legs.

She was advised to have lap-band surgery.

“I’m now off one of my medications for my diabetes and have halved one of the other medications. My asthma is a lot better.

“I’m losing weight which is the best part of all. I can have a go at ping-pong now where before I would lose my breath,” she said.

Source: The Chronicle