I am a 32 year old single mother of a four year old daughter. I am also morbidly obese and have been told by my doctors that I will not live to see my fortieth birthday if I do not have gastric banding surgery.

My weight is due to a chronic thyroid condition and many other conditions such as asthma, arthritis and sleep apnoea have either been exacerbated or caused by my weight.

I am on a waiting list for the surgery but have been waiting for 15 months and I'm terrified that I won't get the help I so desperately need.

I want to see my little girl grow up. I'm all she's got. Please help.