This story was sent to us by a patient who decided to undergo bariatric surgery three years ago. She shared her personal experience - from fear and doubt to impressive results and a conscious new life after the operation.
Exactly 3 years and 3 months ago, I decided to have bariatric surgery. It was frightening and difficult. But it was worth it.
Life Before and After
For as long as I can remember, I was always overweight. As a child, it was a cute chubbiness, but by my 20s, it had turned into excess weight. After my third childbirth and 11 years of maternity leave, I reached 145 kg (320 lbs).
My mind couldn’t process that number. I didn’t think I was that big. Sure, I had extra weight, but I felt fine. My health seemed okay, I felt good, and I didn’t care about trendy clothes - why would I need them? With kids, there was nowhere to dress up for anyway.
The turning point came when I was hospitalized with a mini-stroke. I was 29 years old. And it was terrifying.
Why I Made This Decision
The doctor insisted that I lose weight - urgently. My blood vessels, heart, and internal organs were severely worn out. If I continued living and eating the way I used to, I wouldn’t live long.
The main problem was that nothing worked. I tried starving myself, healthy eating, intermittent fasting, coding therapy, Tibetan acupuncture, weight loss pills and injections. It got to the point where I began forcing myself to vomit after meals - but even that didn’t help.
I was exhausted, broken, and depressed. Then the doctor suggested the last resort - sleeve gastrectomy. To say I was scared is an understatement.
I didn’t know if I would survive the operation, if my health would recover, if I would actually lose weight, or if there would be negative consequences. But there was no way back.
How the Surgery Went
I was on the operating table two weeks after being discharged from the hospital. It was a paid procedure, and I did all the tests there. They didn’t just operate on me - they explained in detail everything that might happen afterward.
The surgery went smoothly and successfully. I was lucky - I ended up in the hands of highly qualified doctors who literally pulled me back from the edge. If I hadn’t lost weight, I probably wouldn’t be alive today.
Consequences and Results
There were consequences - some scary, some unpleasant, even disgusting.
After the operation, I could eat no more than 50 grams of food at a time. Just one spoonful more, and I’d feel nauseous or even vomit. I could only eat purees, broths, mashed boiled vegetables, and lean meat blended into baby-food consistency. Over time, I slowly introduced soft foods, then solid foods. Sometimes unsuccessfully. But I didn’t give up.
I took vitamins and supplements, yet I still struggled with heartburn, hair loss, and sagging skin on my legs, arms, and face. I went regularly to a cosmetologist and massage therapist, but my body’s appearance suffered. I tried to preserve my health and looks as much as possible. It didn’t fully work. Do I regret it? Not at all.
To this day, I still can’t eat certain foods: pork, fresh pastries, or fatty mayonnaise-based salads. But honestly, I don’t even want them anymore.
Since the surgery, my body has completely adjusted, my lifestyle has changed, and my eating habits have evolved. It was hard, but I made it.
The results are what truly matter to me, regardless of the side effects. I lost 48 kilograms (over 100 pounds). Essentially, there used to be two of me. Now there’s only one. The version of me that lived to eat is gone. The one that eats to live remains.
I’ve changed my wardrobe 12 times in the past 3 years. Even my shoe size went down - from 43 to 41.5. And I’m still losing weight, now consciously controlling the amount and quality of what I eat. These days, I can eat almost like a normal person - portions of 200–300 grams. I eat everything except fresh baked goods and fried pork. They just don’t agree with me. But that’s for the best.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Here are the main lessons I’ve learned for myself:
1. Don’t wait. You only have one life and one body. Timing is everything.
2. Don’t let your weight reach extreme levels - it’s very difficult to recover physically afterward.
3. Don’t be afraid. Your doctor will support you not only during the surgery but also throughout the recovery and rehabilitation process.
4. Lose weight - even if it takes surgery. Nothing compares to a healthy weight, a strong heart, and resilient blood vessels.
5. Think about tomorrow. Start doing something for yourself today - and tomorrow, you’ll already be happier.
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Tair Emir-Useinov
Laparoscopic surgeon at the Center for Bariatric Surgery. Specializes in surgical treatment of obesity and minimally invasive procedures.
Serhii Trepet
Bariatric surgeon, Candidate of Medical Sciences, specialist in metabolic and bariatric surgery.
