A 26-year-old woman underwent life-changing surgery to treat a rare condition that made it difficult for her to swallow, significantly impacting her health.
Elise Banyard, a 26-year-old care worker from Dover, suffered from type one achalasia, a rare condition that restricts the oesophagus, leading to severe difficulties in swallowing food and water. For four years, doctors struggled to diagnose her condition, during which she had to stand while eating and frequently vomited or regurgitated food, resulting in a drastic weight loss to just over six stone.
After a lengthy and challenging journey, Elise underwent a surgical procedure known as peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in August 2025, which aimed to alleviate her symptoms by opening her digestive tract. Following the surgery, she experienced a remarkable recovery and gained two and a half stone, allowing her to enjoy her favorite foods again, something she had missed terribly during her illness.
Despite her progress, Elise faced another health challenge as she developed Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) syndrome, a complication that caused her stomach to drop below its normal position. This new condition presents ongoing health implications, but Elise's initial surgery has been a pivotal moment in her life, giving her hope for a better quality of life going forward.
