THE WAYS WE CHANGE!
If I had known myself six years ago, I would have witnessed a completely different version of me. I had reached a point where hope was scarce, and I had given up on myself and my future. Frustration and bitterness consumed me, as I endured daily pain, yearning desperately for a change. I watched my life slip away, my children grow, and the grief I felt for not being the active mother my older children deserved was indescribable and still lingers today.
My experience with lap band surgery was disheartening and down right awful, as it slipped twice and eventually led to a total gut obstruction. At that moment, I swore I would never undergo weight loss surgery again. I was profoundly miserable, despising my body and resenting the physical limitations imposed by my size. Stuck in a cycle of self-loathing and emotional eating, I found myself gaining 5-6 kilos each year. The turning point came on a day that should have been joyous - my graduation ceremony. The robes I had eagerly anticipated wearing didn't fit, leaving me humiliated and overwhelmed with shame.
Determined to make a change, I upgraded my private health insurance and embarked on extensive research to find the right surgeon. That was six years ago. Little did I know, five years ago, that my body would transform in unimaginable ways after weight loss surgery. The last time I had experienced a significant weight loss was after giving birth to my first child at the age of 19. Even then, I had minimal excess skin. So, I naively assumed that this time, with a bit more weight to lose, the skin wouldn't be too much of an issue. How wrong I was. Twenty-one years, four additional children, and numerous surgeries later, my expectations were shattered. The reality of my post-weight loss body was far from what I had envisioned.
The picture I shared depicts my tummy prior to any plastic surgery interventions - a sight that left me depressed and burdened by constant rashes, skin tears, and the weight of excess skin that still prevented me from comfortably fitting into clothes, despite shedding so much weight. In those days, I believed that one round of plastic surgery would be enough. I thought it would solve everything. But for me, it wasn't that simple. My skin had endured years of abuse from unhealthy eating habits, and it took three tummy tucks to reach the state I am in today. I have also undergone procedures on my arms, side boob, and breasts. If you have any questions about my journey, I am more than willing to answer them, except when it comes to costs, as they vary from person to person. Feel free to reach out. xx
And this is me now.
