Futile, frustrating, depressing, disappointing; all words we
use to describe the process of trying to lose weight. After
a tedious process of rationing and restricting food, crunching
abs, walking, biking, jumping and bouncing, dieters are
rewarded with a continued regime of obsessing over food
and physical activities.
Crystal Hale had been down the diet road many times when,
seeking increased energy, mobility and self-esteem, she decided
to brave a risky weight loss surgery.
"I was teased and made fun of for my appearance and
my clothes. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I didn't
see a human being at all, I saw nothing. When I was offered
the chance to have the surgery — it was my doctor that
suggested it — I was very overweight. Before that,
I'd been put on diets and exercise routines instead.
I wasn't a big eater, so didn't understand why I was
gaining and not losing."
Major long-term weight loss is an impossible goal for many
people substantially overweight. Still, our culture's fixation
with perfect bodies continues to fuel the multi-billion dollar
diet industry. And technology is replacing calorie-counting
with a variety of surgical weight loss procedures.
"Most surgery candidates have been through countless
attempts on their own. They see themselves at a dead end
and see this as their last resort," said Dr. Edward
Abramson, psychologist and author of Body Intelligence.
Abramson added that discouragement is common and dissatisfaction
with our bodies is the norm. "Virtually all females
have some degree of dissatisfaction with some aspect of their
bodies. The seriousness varies, but for some life is ruled
by a distorted body image."
"A lot of people who are trying to lose weight evaluate
their success based on an unrealistic notion of what their
body should look like. Many people give up even after significant
progress because of unrealistic expectations," added
Abramson.
After three years on a waiting list, Crystal made the trip
from BC's interior to Vancouver for the gastric bypass
surgery she saw as her last hope. Like other gastric or bariatric
surgery candidates, Crystal's weight carried the potential
for very serious health problems.
"Obesity affects every organ system in the body and
leads to a reduction in one's life expectancy," said
Dr. Giselle Hamad, an assistant professor of surgery at the
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
"After surgery, many patients notice a dramatic
increase in their energy level. There are major improvements
in quality of life. Most patients have an improvement
or resolution of many health problems related to obesity. Most
will no longer require medications for diabetes mellitus
or hypertension by the time they leave the hospital."
Hamad continued, "The other illnesses that are ameliorated
or resolved include acid reflux, menstrual irregularities,
infertility, migraines, high cholesterol, high triglycerides,
sleep apnea, joint pain, back pain, leg swelling, depression,
asthma, and shortness of breath. Ultimately, patients
have a longer life span."
While she knew the benefits were real and lasting, Crystal
was unprepared for the long, painful recovery ahead of her.
"It was hell for the first year after the surgery.
I was only able to eat certain things, and was in a lot of
pain. I was unable to do a lot of things for the first year.
I had to stay home most of the time."
At the time of Crystal's initial surgery, she was
told that both the gastric bypass procedure and the follow
up skin removal were covered by British Columbia's
provincial health plan. Now that she is ready for the plastic
surgery she had anticipated all along, she learned that the
price tag for it is somewhere around $4,000.
"There are days where I wish I hadn't had the surgery
at all. I now have so much excess skin, and of course don't
have the money to have it removed. I would give anything
to be able to wear a tank top, or a nice sleeveless dress,
but with the skin on my arms, it's never going to happen."
"But physically, I feel so much better now. I don't
have so much weight holding me back from having fun, I have
more energy then I ever had. I am now able to go for
a walk or a hike which I love doing, without feeling like
I'm going to die before I reach the top."
Emotionally, the scars are deeper and will take much longer
to heal. While Crystal is happy with her weight loss, life
did not change as profoundly and quickly as she had hoped.
According to Abramson, the emotional side effects of being
overweight vary for children and adults. But for everyone
with a weight problem, there is a stigma. Rudeness, teasing
and insults are the norm and it can be a significant source
of depression. He also said that people suffering from obesity
tend to withdraw from social situations and see a distinct
difference in their treatment from friends and peers.
Crystal has experienced the challenges of being overweight
since elementary school. "Sure I was teased when I
was young, but I think it had more of an affect on me when
I reached an age where I could truly understand what being 'fat' meant. There was
the typical name calling as a child, but it really started
to hurt when I was a teenager."
"I saw all the girls around me who were thin, full
of confidence or at least appeared to be. I don't know how
many times I would sit in my room crying after school because
some kid made a comment about my appearance."
"My biggest fear is that I'm not seeing it.
I’m afraid I’ll turn into one of those people
that no matter how much weight I lose, it is never going
to be enough. I have already noticed it happening and it
scares me."
Crystal will continue healing body and soul for years to come.
But until we stop obsessing over physical perfection and improve
our fast-food lifestyles, women will keep suffering, never
at home in their own bodies.
Editor’s note :Look in the Gallery for the author’s painting that illustrates Crystal’s
story. |
