Lissy age 25
My name is Lissy, I am 25 years old and I am a student. Four years ago I underwent bariatric surgery.
“Going out with friends, going to a party, buying pants, or even just moving… was never something taken for granted or normal for me. I always thought about how I would feel around people, how those people would perceive me, how they would see me. I couldn’t accept myself.”
HER STORY
My name is Lissy, I am 25 years old and I am a Marketing and Communications student. Four years ago I underwent bariatric surgery.
I decided to undergo the surgery at the expense of other approaches because in reality, I had already tried all the other solutions. Obesity is a burden that I have carried with me since the first years of life. I have followed countless diets, met dieticians, nutritionists, personal trainers. I started each path with commitment but, when after a few months I stopped losing weight, my self-esteem dropped and I was back to square one. The maximum weight I reached was 125 kg. I saw bariatric surgery as the last resort and if I could I would make the same choice again with my eyes closed. I was lucky enough to be followed by Gregory, a wonderful specialist who was able to guide me with extreme transparency, motivate me and support me from the first meeting until today. Already from the first kilos I lost I realized how much my body was a real cage, I gained freedom, awareness of my body and a confidence that I had never had. To this day I struggle to remember what my life was like before. I am fine, I am able to maintain the results obtained and I am happy with how my physical appearance has changed but above all with the person I have become.
LIFE BEFORE SURGERY
After surgery I realized how much my body influenced my life, not only from a physical point of view, but above all mental. Something as simple as climbing a couple of flights of stairs was a real challenge for me. The slightest effort made me extremely tired. The biggest problem, however, was the lack of will to put myself on the line. Nothing that is simple and normal for a 20-year-old girl was for me because of my body and how it made me feel. This was one of the greatest sufferings.
HOW LissyIRENE’S LIFE HAS CHANGED
Before losing weight I was always considered a person with a heavy and… cumbersome character, a bit like my appearance. I questioned my character and I am finally at peace with myself. I learned to listen and understand the needs of my body and consequently my relationship with food has radically improved. It was a natural change. I have so much energy, I feel light and eager to do things that I would never have felt before.
Layla
My name is Layla; I am 57 years old, and I am a mother and grandmother of 2 grandchildren. In 2018 I underwent a Sleeve Gastrectomy to lose weight, because unfortunately I was obese.
“I was afraid I would never be able to eat like before. For me, food was like a drug. This was my biggest fear. Now many things have changed: my way of living has changed, my way of thinking. I feel great, more energetic and rejuvenated, mentally and physically.”
HER STORY
My name is Layla; I am 57 years old, and I am a mother and grandmother of 2 grandchildren. Weight is disabling in many ways. My back and legs suffer. I struggled to do anything. Even walking 50 meters was a huge effort for me. I still worked, but with double the effort, with high blood pressure and everything that being overweight entails. I went on several diets. But every time I stopped the diet, I gained the weight back with interest. I had an obese partner, and my situation worsened even while being with him. I didn’t realize it, he ate a lot, I ate a lot and for me it was normal, I didn’t feel in danger. This was until I had a strong nosebleed and the doctor told me that it also depended a lot on my physical condition. This pushed me to make the decision. As the date of the surgery approached, I was more and more afraid. However, I was convinced and I couldn’t wait to end the drama I was experiencing because of my weight. I arrived at the surgery almost calm. The first few days were a bit difficult. It’s a new life, which is put into operation in a new way. You have to learn to know your new body. Learn to eat, learn to drink. It was a form of meditation in motion.
LIFE BEFORE SURGERY
Being overweight was truly humiliating: people treated me differently. Even at work, being obese had a big impact. I work as a bartender and when I was looking for a new job, no one was willing to hire me because of my physical appearance. I had mobility difficulties and I didn’t feel comfortable around people. My life is so different now: I like being around people, I have much more fun with my family and I can finally enjoy my grandchildren.
HOW Layla’S LIFE HAS CHANGED
A lot of things have changed. My way of living has changed, my way of thinking. I feel great. I’m not saying I’m back to 30 years ago because I’m older, but I feel great. My appearance has improved for the better, I’ve lost weight, I can buy smaller, nicer, shapeless clothes. I feel more energetic and rejuvenated, mentally and physically. I love going on trips and walking… before I would cry just thinking about moving. Now, movement gratifies me. I started dancing, I signed up for swing and boogie courses. At first, I didn’t think I could do it and it seemed too good to be true when I started dancing.
The day of the surgery is a paradoxically beautiful memory for me. I lived it like a dream. Before falling asleep, the anesthetist told me to think of something nice, and I thought of my grandchildren. After what seemed like 5 minutes for me I woke up and it was all over. I was lucky, I had no pain, I felt great right away.
Surgery is a means, it’s not the absolute solution, it’s still necessary to have dedication. However, the sacrifice is really minimal, it really doesn’t take much. Contact the team if you have a moment of despair, they are happy and ready to support and sustain us.