Those who undergo bariatric surgery need all the support they can get. They should speak out in order to help others, and so others can know how to help them.
new york times
I was recently asked to write an article for the New York Times on obesity and bariatric surgery and the importance of sharing the bariatric surgery experience publicly.
Click here to read — New York Times.
Here is the article reprinted.
Don’t Keep Bariatric Surgery a Secret
Julia Holloman writes the blog "Miles to Go," and is the author of "Out of Obesity and Into the Promised Land," which will be published next year.
DECEMBER 26, 2013
More than 15 million people in the United States are morbidly obese. Those who suffer are typically more than 100 pounds overweight and have several life-threatening diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. In 2005, after a lifetime of weight loss programs, I became one of them.
Obesity controlled more than my physical health. It stole my identity, distorted my personal value and dictated my emotions. A constant source of humiliation and embarrassment, it ruled every aspect of my life: physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
After reaching a weight of over 300 pounds, I made the decision to undergo bariatric surgery. Doing so changed my life forever. I lost over 160 pounds and regained my health. However, the decision to have surgery was not an easy one. For most, the path of escape is fraught with secret shame, looming failure and a fear of dying, while remaining obese holds the same deadly consequences. This is why it's so important for there to be an open dialogue about weight loss options, no shame attached.
There are a lot of misconceptions about obesity, bariatric surgery, and the changes in lifestyle post-surgery that are required. But extreme weight loss — however you do it — is not the “be-all and end-all” to life’s problems. Even though studies show that bariatric surgery reduces weight, helps sustain weight loss, reduces disease and extends longevity, it took more than altering my anatomy to be free from obesity — a lot more. My recovery required me to face the emotional issues that took me into obesity in the first place. And although the path to freedom was never easy, the promise of success was worth the journey.
Hidden under years of discouragement, heartache and emotional pain, I found truth, freedom and the real me. It has become my passion to help others find the same. Those who decide to undergo bariatric surgery or some other extreme weight loss program need all the support they can get. Therefore I absolutely feel that they should speak out about their questions, doubts and experiences, in order to help others, and so others can know how to help them.
Julia Holloman
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