I’ve been struggling with my weight for what feels like my entire conscious life. And when I say struggling, I mean it’s never just been a few extra kilos, it’s been a lot more than that. I’ve carried a much heavier load for most of my life than I’d like to admit. Of course, I tried different things to get it under control. Some things worked for a while, others didn’t, but the truth is, nothing really stuck for the long haul.
Weight loss surgery has been on my radar for at least the past ten years. I’ve seen it help people in my circle, and of course, there are those reality TV shows like My 600-lb Life where it’s a regular theme. But for me, I’ve always considered bariatric surgery as the absolute last resort, the “final straw,” because, like most people, I wanted to “do it on my own.”
Fast forward to today, and I’ve come to realize that I can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. I’m going to need some help with this. So, what made me finally make the decision to go down the surgery route? Well, there are three big reasons that stand out:
Fear of the Future
Let’s be honest: we all know being overweight is terrible for your health. While I’m still in decent shape for my age, I can’t ignore the fact that things are only going to get worse as I get older. Sure, the number on my passport may still start with a “2,” but deep down I know I need to get serious about my health before it’s too late to turn things around.
The thing is, I’m not blind to the reality. I know that as the years roll on, there are going to be even more health problems, and I don’t want to deal with that. I want to take control of my future now, rather than waiting until I’m facing even bigger issues. So, it’s time to act before my body starts sending me not-so-friendly reminders that I’ve been ignoring things for too long.
Wanting to Feel Good in My Own Skin
If you’re anything like me, you probably know the feeling of being constantly tired. A few flights of stairs? Out of breath. A quick walk in the park? My knees are killing me. Exercise? Ha! It’s hard to even think about it when your BMI is somewhere above 50.
And let’s talk about shopping for clothes. It’s not exactly a fun experience when you can’t just grab whatever catches your eye, you have to settle for whatever fits, even if you don’t love it. The whole thing just kind of sucks.
But honestly, it’s not just about the physical discomfort. There’s also the mental toll. You know those comments that people throw out there, both from loved ones and total strangers? Even though I know most of them come from a good place, it doesn’t make it feel any better when someone points out that I might want to lose a few pounds. Those comments stay with you. And over the years, I’ve had my fair share, leaving some emotional scars that I just can’t shake off.
The Constant Worry
I also know this sounds a bit silly, but I can’t help it. I constantly worry about the space I take up. Before any flight, I’m stressing about whether the seatbelt will fit, if I’ll be able to pull it tight enough, or if I’m going to be that person who makes the flight uncomfortable for someone else. And don’t even get me started on plastic chairs at the beach or the barbeque, I mean, will it hold me? Or will I be the person who makes an awkward, clumsy exit when the thing breaks?
Plus, let’s talk about the heat. I’m always so hot! Like, why am I sweating in places I didn’t even know could sweat?
At some point, I realized I couldn’t keep ignoring these feelings. I couldn’t keep going like this. And that’s when I made the decision to do something about it. I decided to document my journey. Mostly because I think it’ll be nice to look back on this process at some point and see how far I’ve come. But also, I figured if anyone else finds something useful, or maybe even gets inspired, that’s a win in my book.
So, here I am, on this new path, and I’m kind of excited about it. I’m also open to hearing from anyone who wants to share their own experiences, or even just leave a kind word or two. My inbox is always open for good vibes and (kind) comments!
