We lost 300 pounds with ‘his and hers’ weight-loss surgeries

The couple who lose weight together, stay together?

Catherine, 31, and Dean Corner, 33, weighed over 700 pounds between them when they realized they needed to drastically change their lives — and then spent over $7,350 on “his and hers” gastric bypass surgery.

The UK couple, who have been together since 2013, had been trying for a baby when Catherine, who weighed 322 pounds before the surgery, was told she was too overweight for IVF.

The 31-year-old, who also suffers from polycystic ovaries (PCOS) and an underactive thyroid, admitted she was shocked when medical professionals said she needed a body mass index (BMI) of less than 25 to qualify for IVF.

Since her BMI was 48.3, doctors suggested a gastric bypass, a procedure involving stomach staples that create a small pouch at the top to restrict the amount of food that your stomach holds. So, she booked an operation in Lithuania in March 2022.


Overweight couple.
The couple weighed over 700 pounds before they decided to get the surgery.
Catherine Corner / SWNS

Overweight couple sitting at table.
They said they struggled to do things like travel because of their weight.
Catherine Corner / SWNS

Once she started seeing results — she lost 140 pounds — Dean booked himself an operation.

“Dean couldn’t be as active when he was bigger, occasionally it would cause arguments because I would want to be out walking and doing things,” Catherine told SWNS. “Now we’re fitter we can do more things.”

Dean, who weighed 392 pounds, said he had lost weight naturally in the past, but things changed after marriage. He said both he and his wife were “bad influences” on each other, like often buying takeout instead of cooking nutritious meals.

He also admitted his size was starting to get to him


Three photos of the couple pre and post weight loss surgery.
They said the surgery has completely changed their lives.
Catherine Corner / SWNS

“I stopped wanting to go out with Catherine and our couple friends,” Dean, who lost 182 pounds, recalled. “It was affecting our relationship.”

According to Catherine, the pair have crossed off items on their bucket list they previously couldn’t do because of their weight.

“It has opened a lot more doors,” she admitted. “We can be comfortable when we travel and even stay in hostels.”


Two photos of Dean before and after weight loss surgery.
Dean admitted that his weight made him anti-social.
Catherine Corner / SWNS

The couple said the road to weight loss wasn’t easy, though, and surgery is just one part of the journey.

“It’s a tool, not a quick fix,” she quipped, adding they had radically changed their eating habits, swapping takeout for nutritious, home-cooked meals.

The couple hopes to start trying for a baby soon since a year has passed since the operation and they’re now eligible for IVF.


Couple on NYC lookout.
Now, the couple has been able to travel.
Catherine Corner / SWNS

Catherine said going through the experience together has made it easier for both of them.

“Naturally it’s been a good support going through it together within a month of each other,” she said.