Yashvi Chheda
Bariatric Dietician & Content Writer
Coming Out of the Bariatric Closet - Aastha Bariatrics
Obesity is a major medical issue. It is even declared as a disease by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Obese people usually carry double or triple weight from what they should be carrying. There is no other treatment for people who weigh 20-30 and above kilos more than they should be weighing.
For these people, the only line of treatment is bariatric surgery.
Now since you have undergone bariatric surgery you know that bariatric surgery is commonly referred to as weight reduction surgery, and is used to help persons with extreme obesity lose weight. It entails modifying the digestive tract to limit food intake or affect how the body assimilates nutrition. In order to minimise food consumption and/or nutritional absorption, bariatric surgery primarily aims to shrink the size of the stomach or bypass a part of the small intestine.
You made the decision to undergo bariatric surgery for a reason, for a goal that you probably want to achieve, to have better health conditions, to feel more confident, to feel good in your skin, and much more.
Numerous physical, mental, and social issues can arise for those who are obese. Obese people frequently experience a variety of problems, including:
Health Perils: Obesity has been linked to an increased risk of a number of major health issues, including osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, some malignancies, and sleep apnea. The general health and quality of life of an individual may be greatly impacted by these diseases.
Decreased mobility: Being overweight can put stress on the joints and muscles, making mobility and physical activity more difficult. Obese people may have trouble moving around and carrying out simple duties.
Obese people may experience emotional and psychological problems like sadness, anxiety, low self-esteem, body image problems, and social stigmatization. Their motivation to adopt a healthier lifestyle may also be impacted by these emotional and psychological problems.
Social stigmatization: People who are obese frequently experience prejudice, bigotry, and harmful stereotypes in society. They may find it more difficult to ask for assistance or participate in social activities as a result of social exclusion, lack of support, and social isolation.
Reduced Quality of Life: Being obese can have a detrimental effect on a person’s general quality of life. It might prevent people from engaging in fun activities, undermine their confidence, and have an impact on their interpersonal interactions.
Relationship Stress: Health issues brought on by obesity can strain personal and familial ties. This may be the result of the obese person’s physical limits or stress brought on by the related medical conditions.
Financial Burden: For people and their families, treating obesity-related health issues and the requirement for specialised medical treatment can result in severe financial difficulties.
Finding Appropriate Clothing Can Be Difficult: Obese people may have trouble finding stylish, well-fitting clothing, which can affect their confidence and self-esteem.
Obesity is a common risk factor for sleep apnea and other respiratory disorders that are related to sleep. Poor sleep can make other health problems worse and have an influence on day-to-day activities.
Reduced Life Expectancy: Premature mortality has been associated with obesity. Health issues brought on by obesity can shorten a person’s life and negatively impact their general wellbeing.
So you’re ok with going through a lot of stress, mental and physical exertion but feeling embarrassed to tell people that you had bariatric surgery? How is that fair to your body?
The moment you decided to undergo bariatric surgery, was the moment when you took one of the biggest and greatest decisions to take care of your body and work to get yourself back to a normal range of weight.
So here’s a slice– if you wish to keep your secret about having undergone bariatric surgery then that is respected in case the information is a threat to you or any of your loved ones. It shouldn’t be kept from people out of shame. If you keep this life changing journey from everyone to yourself, it would be equivalent to having a cure for cancer and not being willing to discuss it with people.
And NO! You do not have to put it on your instagram ID or facebook profile or write a blog about it; but if you repress this, people won’t know about it.
Why should people know? Because, describing your experience can really benefit people who are going through the same demons you did.
Bariatric surgery has a lot of myths and taboos. But we need to educate people about this. This is important because anyway you’re trying to reduce weight by diet and exercise, which might not be the line of treatment for your grade of obesity according to your BMI. The surgery will be an aid along with dietary and lifestyle changes.
At Aastha Bariatric Hospital we help you to feel confident in your body. Bariatric surgery is truly a boon for obesity and awareness should be increased regarding the same.
