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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/26/weight-loss-surgery-transformed-my-life-bariatric-care
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Weight loss surgery transformed my life. Now I want to help others | Weight loss surgery transformed my life. Now I want to help others |
| (25 days later) | |
| Faced with the prospect of spending the rest of my life feeling unhappy in my own skin, the idea of weight-loss surgery became more and more appealing. For over 20 years type 2 diabetes had drained my health and wellbeing. Despite endless diets and exercise regimes to deal with obesity, the weight always crept back – followed by depression. | Faced with the prospect of spending the rest of my life feeling unhappy in my own skin, the idea of weight-loss surgery became more and more appealing. For over 20 years type 2 diabetes had drained my health and wellbeing. Despite endless diets and exercise regimes to deal with obesity, the weight always crept back – followed by depression. |
| Unfortunately, the opportunity of a healthier, happier me through surgery came with the stigma that it’s an easy way out. But weight-loss surgery isn’t a quick fix: it requires a lifelong commitment to improving your health. | Unfortunately, the opportunity of a healthier, happier me through surgery came with the stigma that it’s an easy way out. But weight-loss surgery isn’t a quick fix: it requires a lifelong commitment to improving your health. |
| I had a mini gastric bypass in March 2017. Waking up from the operation was daunting. The reality of the challenges ahead became very clear. The first days were uncomfortable and sometimes painful. However, I knew the months of recovery would be critical to making my operation a success. | I had a mini gastric bypass in March 2017. Waking up from the operation was daunting. The reality of the challenges ahead became very clear. The first days were uncomfortable and sometimes painful. However, I knew the months of recovery would be critical to making my operation a success. |
| Initially, losing the desire for comfort foods, and changing my eating habits, was accompanied by a feeling of emotional disconnection. After surgery, the mind needs to adjust to physical changes in the body. As the journey began, I learned to make better food choices and carefully measure each portion of food I ate. | Initially, losing the desire for comfort foods, and changing my eating habits, was accompanied by a feeling of emotional disconnection. After surgery, the mind needs to adjust to physical changes in the body. As the journey began, I learned to make better food choices and carefully measure each portion of food I ate. |
| I used to love puddings – especially Christmas pudding with custard. But I soon learned that foods I once enjoyed no longer agreed with my restructured stomach. What followed was a difficult process of trial and error, where the side effects could be quite explosive. At times I would find myself running frantically for the toilet before my body forcefully ejected what I had just eaten. | I used to love puddings – especially Christmas pudding with custard. But I soon learned that foods I once enjoyed no longer agreed with my restructured stomach. What followed was a difficult process of trial and error, where the side effects could be quite explosive. At times I would find myself running frantically for the toilet before my body forcefully ejected what I had just eaten. |
| Managing the effects of surgery becomes a daily preoccupation. But when you’ve overcome the mental struggle, the benefits are overwhelmingly positive. Seven months after my surgery I had lost nearly five stones; my life has really taken a turn in the right direction. | Managing the effects of surgery becomes a daily preoccupation. But when you’ve overcome the mental struggle, the benefits are overwhelmingly positive. Seven months after my surgery I had lost nearly five stones; my life has really taken a turn in the right direction. |
| When I look back, I wonder why I didn’t do it sooner. My decision wasn’t just about looking and feeling better: I chose to continue with life. I wanted to take back control of my health, and be free of diabetes – which, since my operation, has been in remission. I’m no longer depressed, and I’ve stopped taking medication. I feel like a dark cloud has lifted, and I’m glowing in the sun. | When I look back, I wonder why I didn’t do it sooner. My decision wasn’t just about looking and feeling better: I chose to continue with life. I wanted to take back control of my health, and be free of diabetes – which, since my operation, has been in remission. I’m no longer depressed, and I’ve stopped taking medication. I feel like a dark cloud has lifted, and I’m glowing in the sun. |
| The opportunity of a happier me came with the stigma that it’s an easy way out. But surgery isn’t a quick fix | The opportunity of a happier me came with the stigma that it’s an easy way out. But surgery isn’t a quick fix |
| Having more energy has motivated me to do something positive with my life. Supporting others in their journeys has helped me in my recovery. Patients in the UK have limited options and rely on social media, so it’s often down to individuals to figure out what’s right for them. That is why I created The Gastric Guru, to provide a reliable support network. Despite Britain’s obesity crisis and growing demand for weight-loss surgery, there is no equivalent of services such as Bariatric Pal or Obesity Coverage in the US, which involve bariatric specialists in patient support. | Having more energy has motivated me to do something positive with my life. Supporting others in their journeys has helped me in my recovery. Patients in the UK have limited options and rely on social media, so it’s often down to individuals to figure out what’s right for them. That is why I created The Gastric Guru, to provide a reliable support network. Despite Britain’s obesity crisis and growing demand for weight-loss surgery, there is no equivalent of services such as Bariatric Pal or Obesity Coverage in the US, which involve bariatric specialists in patient support. |
| Bariatric patients are often all too conscious of failing. People who have lived with obesity for most of their lives often see themselves as failures. For many surgery is a last hope. It’s so important to address post-operative issues such as portion control, nutritional guidance, exercise, support for eating habits, and food addiction – and help to avoid another type of addiction. | Bariatric patients are often all too conscious of failing. People who have lived with obesity for most of their lives often see themselves as failures. For many surgery is a last hope. It’s so important to address post-operative issues such as portion control, nutritional guidance, exercise, support for eating habits, and food addiction – and help to avoid another type of addiction. |
| However, long-term support is not something surgery providers offer with the package. This is where independently run care services can work in partnership with bariatric specialists, to help more patients make their surgery a lifelong success. | However, long-term support is not something surgery providers offer with the package. This is where independently run care services can work in partnership with bariatric specialists, to help more patients make their surgery a lifelong success. |
| • Aisha Walker is founder of The Gastric Guru, which supports patients through weight loss surgery | • Aisha Walker is founder of The Gastric Guru, which supports patients through weight loss surgery |
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