James Argent made his first public appearance since his life-saving gastric sleeve surgery as he appeared on Loose Women on Tuesday.
The former TOWIE star, 33, said he is ‘buzzing’ as his weight is ‘coming off every day’ after having the £10,000 sleeve gastrectomy operation two-and-a-half weeks ago.
Arg revealed he had managed to shed 2.5st off his 27st weight before the surgery and detailed how his ex-girlfriend Lydia Bright ‘has been amazing’ as he recovers from surgery.
Debut: James Argent made his first public appearance since his life-saving gastric sleeve surgery as he appeared on Loose Women on Tuesday
James told the panel: ‘I’m so pleased, sitting here today, two and a half weeks after the operation, gradually weight is coming off each and every day.
‘I’m going on long walks, I’m feeling happier, I’m feeling healthier, I’m starting to feel like my old self again. I think I definitely made the right decision. This is really going to be a positive new chapter for me. I’m buzzing.’
James said he has lost 2.5st already since starting the pre-op diet just before surgery.
Operation: The former TOWIE star, 33, said he was ‘buzzing’ as his weight is ‘coming off every day’ after having the £10,000 sleeve gastrectomy operation two-and-a-half weeks ago
Transformed: In 2015 (pictured left), the TV star was the slimmest he’d ever been after losing four stone, but had since seen his weight creep back up (pictured R last month)
‘I’m starting to recognise myself in the mirror again, the confidence is starting to come back, my looks are coming back,’ he said.
‘So I’m just really, really pleased. I don’t feel depressed, I just feel positive. Obviously there’s tough days, it’s a big operation and it’s a big life-change for me. But I’m just so glad I went ahead.’
The television personality went on to detail his recovery so far, which he says has been ‘pretty hard’.
He said: ‘There are some days that are tougher than others. Initially after the operation, you’re coming off the anaesthetic and it’s a shock to the system for a couple of days. Gradually each day gets easier and easier.
Impressive: James told the panel: ‘I’m so pleased, sitting here today, two and a half weeks after the operation, gradually weight is coming off each and every day’
‘The only battle at the moment I suppose is more mentally. I’ve been on nothing but liquids for two weeks.
‘I’m onto the third week now, I’ve slowly moved onto mushy food, like baby food, I’m kind of blending soft foods and eating.’
Arg said he didn’t have any cravings for fast food or takeaway and instead fancies a chicken salad ‘or a bit of fish and rice’.
He added: ‘I’ve only got another two weeks of mushy food, soft food and then I’ll be moving on to solids and then I’ll be able to get a nice chicken salad down my neck and it’ll be good.’
James spoke about how he has been for sober more than a year of sobriety after overcoming his drug addiction and says he will remain in therapy sessions and counselling.
‘I’m lucky to have her in my life’: Arg detailed how his ex-girlfriend Lydia Bright ‘has been amazing’ as he recovers from surgery (pictured in 2016)
‘He said: ‘It’s a great milestone. I’ve got plenty of support. I’m very aware that me having this gastric sleeve surgery, it’s going to help me a lot physically, but it’s not necessarily going to help me mentally.
‘I’ve still got to really keep on top of my meetings, keep on top of therapy sessions, counselling, group stuff and I know that just because I’ve had this surgery I’ve still got a lot to do and I still need to put a lot of work and effort into my mental health for sure.’
Liquid diet: ‘The only battle at the moment I suppose is more mentally. I’ve been on nothing but liquids for two weeks,’ he said
And Arg’s ex Lydia has been someone who has shown the reality star a tremendous amount of support as he recovers from the major operation.
He said: ‘Lydia’s been amazing. We’re not together obviously, but we’ve known each other since we were teenagers. So we’re always going to be extremely close friends, I’m glad I’ve got her back in my life as a friend, she’s a close support, her and her mum Debbie, Debbie’s amazing, she means the world to me.’
The television personality also said he ‘would love to start a family’ but wants to focus on remaining clean and sober and become a healthy weight.
James has remained single since his split with Gemma Collins, 40, who has now reignited her romance with her ex-fiancé Rami Hawash.
He said: ‘I’m fortunate enough, I’ve worked hard over the last 11 years, I have a lovely family home in Essex, but I’m the only one living in it.
‘Yeah, I would love to meet someone. I would love to start a family. I feel that not only am I in a place I can look after myself now, I’m also in a place where I truly feel I could look after and take care of a lady and take care of a child.
‘So that would be the dream for me.’
Priorities: The television personality also said he ‘would love to start a family’ but wants to focus on remaining clean and sober and become a healthy weigh