A FORMER bomb disposal expert from Bradford who dropped half his bodyweight after a gastric bypass is now helping others battling weight problems.

The 56-year-old father-of-three and granddad of two from Wibsey is helping to run a support group for pre and post-op weight loss patients in the city.

Steve Tempest-Mitchell had his surgery 14 months ago, shrinking his stomach to the size of a tennis ball. He said he was now a new man after years of struggling to control his Type 2 diabetes and massive weight gain, which saw him reach 32 stones.

Thanks to the surgery, he is now 16 stones lighter and enjoying his new lease of life. His one-time 66ins waist is now 42ins and his chest size has reduced from 66ins to 48ins.

"My advice to anyone thinking about surgery is that you have got to be 100 per cent committed. It's got to be for you, no one else," he said.

Mr Tempest-Mitchell, of Moore Drive and who now works as a business development manager in demolition and asbestos removal services, said before surgery he had lost self-esteem and confidence.

Although he was not housebound, he had to plan whenever he went - whether it was to the shops or going out on jobs.

"I had to get the car as close as I could and if I couldn't, I'd have to turn back and go home. It was reclusive. If I hadn't had my surgery I would not be enjoying life like I am now, playing with the grandchildren, going on holiday - you become a burden on your family.

Mr Tempest-Mitchell said he had always been a chunky child but had been hospitalised when he was five because of a bone disorder which left him with one leg shorter than the other. He proved doctors wrong by proving he could be as mobile as others his age and played rugby.

But as he got older the weight crept on - long-haul flights, business meetings and entertaining clients around the world saw the pounds pile on.

Mr Tempest-Mitchell, whose career has also seen him using high pressure water technology to disarm potentially explosive situations including defusing bombs, said: "I'd got to the point of no return, something had to be done because I was slowly killing myself. I was type 2 diabetic, on 20 tablets a day for other ailments due to my weight - I was just waiting for something awful to happen. It got so bad I needed psychiatric help," he said.

At first he dismissed the idea of surgery but eventually decided it was right for him and was referred by his GP onto the bariatric programme at St Luke's Hospital.

He had his surgery at Bradford Royal Infirmary on February 4 last year and is now one of four facilitators who have been through weight loss surgery themselves helping run Bradford Bariatric Support Group.

The group meets at the BRI's Fieldhouse on the last Wednesday of every month, January to November, as an open forum with regular talks from surgeons, psychologists and dieticians.

To find out more either e-mail bbsg@hotmail.co.uk or Facebook Bradford Bariatric Support Group.