James Argent recovers from lifesaving gastric band op with boys’ holiday as he vows ‘not to fall again’

 FORMER Towie star James Argent recovered from his lifesaving gastric band op with a boys' holiday, where he vowed: “I won’t fall back down again.”

The 33-year-old was pictured smiling on a trip to Brighton with three pals, including Jade Goody’s widow Jack Tweed. 

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James Argent has enjoyed a boys' trip to Brighton

A source said: “Years ago James would have been caning it during a weekend away in Brighton. But that’s in the past.

"He is determined to live the right way now and make sure this second chance he has been given doesn’t go to waste.”

Details of James’ seaside getaway comes days after he gave a thumbs up from his hospital bed after getting life-saving gastric band surgery.

He shocked fans when he ballooned to nearly 27st during lockdown, and admitted he swapped a drink and drug addiction for junk food when Covid closed gyms and pools.

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James has vowed to turn his life around following his surgeryCredit: BackGrid

After undergoing the life-changing procedure earlier this month, Arg shared a beaming hospital photo on Instagram and triumphantly told his followers it was the “first day of the rest of my life”.

He penned: “Today Is the First Day of the Rest of My Life 

“My weight loss journey has STARTED, I’ve had my gastric sleeve surgery with the incredible team at @wearetransform.

“I’ve struggled with my weight for years but I’m finally ready both physically & mentally to do something about it,” he continued.

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He showed off his wounds to The Sun

“The next few months are going to be tough but I’m determined to reclaim my life! NEW CHAPTER ”.

After sharing his journey, Arg was inundated with messages of support from friends and fellow Towie stars including the show’s narrator Denise Van Outen, his ex girlfriend’s mum Debbie Bright and Eamonn Holmes.

The Sun exclusively revealed that Arg had gastric surgery to help him lose 11st and save his life – though he feared he might not even survive the op.

The TV star initially vowed last year to go under the knife for the weight loss procedure.

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James shocked fans with his weight gain during lockdownCredit: Instagram

Speaking exclusively to The Sun just two days after his op — which will reduce the amount he can eat — Arg said: “This is the biggest operation I’ve ever had in my life, so I was scared.

“I did say to the surgeon, ‘Is there a chance I might not wake up?’ He said there was a small chance.”

Now he hopes to slim down to 16st after having half his stomach removed last week during the £10,000 operation by Transform Hospital Group at a top clinic in Birmingham.

Arg said it was touch and go as to whether the surgery would go ahead, as he struggled to stick to a pre-op diet of 1,000 calories a day and his body mass index hit almost 50 — whereas a healthy figure is 18 to 25.

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Arg said he needed the surgery or he could dieHe added: “I was supposed to stick to 1,000 calories a day for three weeks and my BMI had to be below 50 but I was 49.7 and 26st 11lb.

“I did struggle. There were a few times I found it too hard and couldn’t stick to it. I was almost too big to have the operation, which is scary.”

But the hour-and-a-half op was successful and Arg said: “I’ve already got a bit of a glow back in my face so I’m happy with that, and I feel like I’m already losing weight, which is good.”

James Argent reveals his new healthy cooking regime after doctors warned his 26st weight was ‘danger territory’