Weight loss surgery, or obesity surgery as it’s known in some circles, comes with a stigma attached to it that very few other types of surgery have. Perhaps it is because many people see obesity as being the fault of the person suffering from it – perceived over eaters, inherently lazy and taking the easy way out from dieting. This stereotype is far too common and means that people who have tried every diet going and for whom exercise just hasn’t worked are stigmatised by our society.
For those people who have tried and failed to lose weight, the surgery is a real solution that will be beneficial on many levels. From a quality of life point of view, post-surgery, people for whom climbing stairs wasn’t just difficult but actually impossible can suddenly move around easily and play with their children or grand children. They are able to enjoy holidays and exercise fully with their large size no longer restricting them. Weight loss surgery is not all about getting thinner; there are psychological issues and many associated health issues that can finally be overcome post-surgery.
Little things like only taking up one seat on the bus and not having people stare when out in town mean that post-surgery life is so much better. Many associated health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea are also reduced after weight loss surgery. Having lived a life controlled by food, weight loss surgery leads directly to improved self-confidence and esteem.
Another attack levelled at people going through this procedure is that the dangers are too high, and that putting your body through the stress of unneeded surgery is unhealthy. Experts in the industry, have actually put forward what seems to be a much more compelling case; the job of a surgeon is to preserve the health and to improve the quality of life of their patients, always striving to reduce the health risks. The key is the balance between the risk of performing the surgery versus the other health risks associated with obesity. And the bottom line is that surgery is often much less of a risk than not losing weight.
It is high time that the stigma attached to weight loss surgery was put to bed. For some people it is a last resort, which when turned to changes their life for the better, for good. The results can be transformational, physically and psychologically – surely everyone deserves a chance to make a better life for themselves?
Jane Hamilton is an expert in health and fitness, specialising in nutrition and weight loss. Find out more about weight loss surgery and get advice on the weight loss forums where people share their experiences.