Are you considering weight loss surgery? Some may view weight loss surgery as a mere means to an end, while others may view this type of surgery as “cheating.” I might have been one of those people who considered weight loss surgery as a “quick fix” or “cheat” to reach said weight goals. Regardless of the type of surgery; whether it’s operative (e.g., Sleeve Gastrectomy, Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y), or Adjustable Gastric Banding), or non-operative (e.g., ORBERA Gastric Balloon Procedure, POSE Procedure, or ROSE Procedure), there are always risks involved.
Some people, in my opinion, are ignorant to the concept of weight loss surgery and the medical necessity that some bariatric patients face. I was one of these patients. Until I became a bariatric patient, I was just merely on the outside looking into a world that I never imagined for myself. Society has groomed our minds as to what the perfect body should look like (i.e., a perfect size 6).
Unfortunately, not everyone has this ideal body, so men and women worldwide strive for this type of “perfection,” by any means necessary. Physically, I met these standards up until a few years ago. I had to undergo three knee surgeries, a series of steroids, different pain medications, and anti-depressants which all lead to weight gain. The more weight that I gained, the less mobile I became, thus making weight loss almost impossible. In December 2016, I made a decision that would turn out to be the decision of a lifetime. I met with a surgeon, and he and I decided that the best course of action would be the sleeve gastrectomy.
In preparation for this surgery, I had to get clearance from a cardiologist, pulmonologist, psychologist, and attend several nutrition classes. I received clearance and surgery was booked in August 2017, the moment in time that would forever change my life. As of February 2018, I have lost a total of 62.4 pounds. My journey has not been easy, but worth every step. I am now off all medication, I can breathe better, and I'm happier than I’ve been in a long time. There were some minor complications in the beginning, but I was always told that everything worth having doesn’t always come easy, sometimes there is pain and work involved.
I now understand this logic. Before, I was ignorant and naïve to these types of surgeries, but now that I am educated on the matter, I see things differently. So, for those who thought as I did about weight loss surgery as a way to cheat weight loss, I challenge you to create a different mindset. Surgery is simply a jumpstart, often a medical necessity, that one needs to start their approach to a more positive lifestyle for themselves and their loved ones.