now looking forward to jumping through the same hoops next year
If it's any consolation at all, you probably WON'T have to do all that. Class 1 renewals can be done with local AME's rather than the CAA at Gatwick. They are much less likely to be difficult about an issue like this, especially if, as you have made clear, you are actually otherwise a very fit person !
Best of all, though, would be to make quite certain of sailing through next year's renewal by losing a worthwhile amount of weight in the interim ! What better New Year resolution could you make for yourself ?
Good luck !
