This story is sponsored by Slimming World.

A Harrogate slimmer is celebrating after reversing her liver disease by losing over a third of her body weight with Slimming World. 

Sylvia Skipper was told by doctors that her non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was off the scale, with a liver fat content of over 70%.  

“I was heading towards severe cirrhosis of the liver, which could lead to me needing a liver transplant,” said Sylvia. 

“The consultant explained the only legitimate way of improving or reversing this was by losing weight. I had struggled with so many diets in the past I had just about lost faith.” 

It was then that she turned to Slimming World, whose science-based healthy eating plan has helped thousands of people across the UK achieve their weight-loss goals without ever going on a diet.

“I vividly remember messaging Cate Pervana, who runs Slimming World groups in Harrogate, and sharing my health issues with her,” said Sylvia. 

“I had previously had thyroid cancer, so I struggled to control my metabolism and doubted my ability to lose weight. 

“But Cate gave me the reassurance I needed, and I joined Westcliffe Hall Harrogate Slimming World group.” 

Combining Slimming World’s no-hunger eating plan with its Body Magic physical activity programme, Sylvia soon started to see the weight fall off. Just over a year later, she has lost 6st 7.5lb – over 40 per cent of her original body weight – and is now down from a size 24 to a size 8. Even her feet have shrunk from a 6 to a 4 and she’s now proudly wearing her favourite pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, which had been stuck in her wardrobe for years. 

Sylvia Skipper combined Slimming World’s no-hunger eating plan with its Body Magic physical activity programme to lose weight.

“But the best news came this morning,” said Sylvia. “I now have less than 5% fat in my liver, I have completely reversed my liver disease, and I’ve been discharged. 

“I am so grateful to Cate and everyone at Slimming World for giving me all the support I needed. Getting healthy again has been my sole motivation on my weight-loss journey, and I feel on top of the world.”

Sylvia Skipper was in danger of needing a liver transplant, but with the help of Slimming World has stopped her liver disease in its tracks.

Slimming World in Harrogate and Knaresborough runs several groups, making it easier to find one to fit into your schedule. Cate Pervana runs groups in Harrogate, and Christine Husband runs them in Starbeck and Knaresborough.

Find out more: 

If you want 2023 to be the year you achieve your weight-loss goals, find out more about your local groups by calling Christine Husband (Starbeck and Knaresborough) on 07890 621324, or Cate Pervana (Harrogate) on 07834 897533. 

Alternatively, check out the Slimming World Harrogate and Knaresborough Facebook page here. 

This article is sponsored by Kliniken. 

What is Lipoedema? 

Lipoedema is an abnormal buildup of fat, usually in the legs and affects up to 1 in 10 of all women. It cannot be helped by traditional weight loss techniques. Lipoedema can have a really negative impact on the patient’s life, both physically and mentally. 

Lipoedema is a progressive, chronic condition – which means it cannot be cured and gradually continues to worsen. The most extreme cases see large growths of nodular fat cause severe deformity around the thighs and knees. Kliniken is one of the leading clinics in the country helping people with this condition.

People with lipoedema can often feel frustrated, and can struggle with their body confidence. There is poor awareness of lipoedema amongst doctors and the general public, leaving patients feeling they are not doing enough to deal with the fat. 

Lipoedema Liposuction 

Because lipoedema cannot be cured, the fat itself needs to be managed through liposuction. 

The procedure can typically be performed in less than two hours, using either local anaesthetic and sedation or general anaesthetic.

At Kliniken, the patient will be seen by their surgeon for a consultation. The clinic also has a psychiatrist who is on hand to help with the emotional and mental effects that sufferers of lipoedema can experience. From consultation to post-operative care, the patient will see the same surgeon, receive a direct number for them for any questions or concerns and a full care plan to ensure they are healing from the inside out. 

What are the results? 

Susannah is one of Kliniken’s clients, and talks about her experiences with the procedure and how it has changed her life for the better:

“As a gym instructor I could never understand why I couldn’t lose weight on my thighs, and no matter what I ate, or how much I moved, the weight would not shift. Speaking with the Kliniken team and learning about Lipoedema was such a revelation, and knowing that there was something I could do to make myself feel better made all the difference.

The procedure itself was fantastic and Mallappa was extremely professional and put my mind to rest and was very understanding. The recovery was quick and for the first time in a long time I felt like myself again.”

How long does the surgery and recovery take? 

Kliniken’s clinic is situated in picturesque Bishop Thornton near Ripley. The setting is part of the therapy the clinic offers, and the rest and relaxation helps patients recuperate.

Patients can usually go home the same day, although in some cases an overnight stay may be necessary. 

Following lipoedema liposuction, there is an immediately noticeable reduction in the volume of the limbs. The skin takes around two weeks to heal, and the swelling should settle over a few months. 

It’s suggested that patients take two weeks off work. 

Who performs the procedure? 

Kliniken’s co-owner and consultant plastic surgeon, Mr Mallappa Kolar is the lead surgeon for lipoedema liposuction. He has nearly 20 years’ experience in cosmetic surgery, in addition to an MD and PhD in the use of fat cells. Mallappa has helped patients transform their lives with this surgery. Prices for the procedure start at £5,000. 

To find out more about the procedures offered at Kliniken, visit their website or call 01423 206 388

In this article, which is part of a series on the 15 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2021, we look at the shake-up of local leisure facilities – and ongoing concerns about safety at the new Ripon pool.

Throughout 2021, Harrogate Borough Council has spoken about its ‘multi-million pound investment’ in leisure developments across the district.

The council certainly has ambitious plans: it has built a new six-lane pool in Ripon, drawn up designs for a new leisure centre in Knaresborough and is also planning a two-storey extension to The Hydro in Harrogate.

It set up a new company, Brimhams Active, this year to run its health and wellbeing facilities.

However, the actual cost of delivering the entire package of projects remains unclear.

Ripon £4m over budget

The new Ripon facility, at Dallamires Lane, will be called the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre, in honour of the local Olympic hero. It is scheduled to open next month.

A Freedom of Information request submitted to the council by Ripon resident and chartered civil engineer Stanley Mackintosh showed that it is currently more than £4 million over budget at £14,590,665.

The opening is now due to take place more than seven months later than originally planned. Ripon Spa Baths closed in November, leaving the city without a public swimming pool until the new site opens.

The council also still has to deal with ongoing ground stability concerns affecting the leisure centre adjacent to the Ripon pool.

Following the discovery of a ‘void’ near the entrance to the 26-year-old building, further investigation and remedial works will be carried out in the New Year. The centre’s ground floor will remain closed while the work takes place.

The discovery prompted two sinkhole experts to urge councillors to consider finding an alternative site for the new Ripon leisure centre and pool.

Their comments followed a report by engineering company Stantec, which revealed the site could be permanently plagued by the threat of sinkholes.

When asked about the cost of the remedial work, the council said:

“The costs for the investigation works are not as yet known. Following the investigation works, there will then be assessment of the proposed remediation strategies, together with an assessment of the estimated cost.

“The council would not be able to disclose details of costs until the agreed remedial works are contracted as we view that providing this information may prejudice future commercial negotiations with supply partners.”

The proposed new Knaresborough leisure centre.

New leisure centre in Knaresborough 

The council will consider its own planning application for a new leisure and wellness centre in Knaresborough in 2022, to replace the town’s existing leisure facility.

The proposed new centre will include a six-lane 25-metre pool, a learner pool with flume, sauna and steam room, fitness suite and studio, cafe, electric car charging points, bicycle storage and play area.

Construction could start as early as spring next year and last for 18 months.

Under the plans, the new building would be built on the playground to the rear of the existing pool, which would remain open during the work.

However, local resident David Hull, who launched the ‘Not On Fysche Field’ campaign has criticised the plans over the loss of the existing play park. The council has said it will create a new play park on the site.

Hydro changes

The council is proposing to demolish the current ‘drum’ entrance at The Hydro and replace it with a larger structure that includes a bigger café and reception area on the ground floor and a new 400-square metre fitness suite on the first floor.

Plans also include refurbishing the changing rooms and pool hall. Five electric vehicle charging points will be added.

The Stray Ferret asked the council how much the works will cost, but did not receive a response.

Those championing the schemes have been quick to hail the benefits.

Ripon Leisure Centre will only be partially open when the city’s new swimming pool comes on stream in seven weeks’ time.

Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) has confirmed that the leisure centre’s ground floor will remain closed while ‘further ground investigatory work and any remedial action required is considered.’

The multi-million pound project, due to include a six-lane pool, fully-refurbished leisure centre and outside play areas, was initially scheduled for completion in May, but ground stabilisation work known as grouting, contributed to a six-month hold up.

Last week HBC announced a revised date of 8 December for the opening of the pool.

Now, however, there is a further delay in delivery of the complete scheme, which is already more than £3 million over budget.

Opening on 8 December – Ripon’s new swimming pool

A spokesperson for HBC, said:

“The first floor of the leisure centre will remain open and will continue to be available for use when the new pool opens on the 8th December.

“The ground floor of the leisure centre will remain closed whilst further ground investigatory work and any remedial action required is considered.

“Once any further investigations and any necessary mitigations are concluded, the full suite of facilities at the Leisure Centre will be ready to be opened.”

The leisure centre gym has been moved and can now be accessed via a temporary first floor entrance, but a spin studio and other facilities that would have been on the ground floor, will not be available when the pool opens.

The original £10.2 million contract awarded to construction company and principal contractor Willmott Dixon in November 2019, stipulated a completion date of May 2021.

Following the extension of the contract, known costs for the scheme currently stand at £13,555,662.

A sinkhole caused the closure of the leisure centre car park in February 2018 and a new void discovered during construction work in September 2020 near the former entrance to the centre, is the subject of an investigation costing £110,000.