If you’ve been struggling to manage your weight for years and have exhausted your diet and exercise options with little to no success, you may have started thinking about surgical intervention. Obesity doesn’t mean you lack effort or will power, which is why bariatric procedures like gastric sleeve are a great course of action when it comes to fighting obesity.
Unfortunately, weight loss surgery is still considered pretty taboo although the numerous benefits are well documented. Many bariatric patients have heard some sort of misguided comment from those that just don’t quite get it at one point or another along the lines of: “surgery is the easy way out” or the infamous “why don’t you just lose weight naturally?”.
Some of the ways people view bariatric surgery and the misconceptions associated with those who get it may lead you to worry whether people will be able to tell you’ve had weight loss surgery after the fact. The simple answer is no, people will not be able to look at you and tell you’ve had an operation. That being said, it is a little more nuanced than that.
While at a glance it will not be obvious you’ve had surgery, some people may notice your sudden and drastic weight loss. The incisions used for sleeve gastrectomy are tiny (5mm with one 1cm incision) and are strategically placed around the abdomen, meaning the surgical scars are likely easily hidden. Additionally, the incisions are similar to those of a laparoscopic gallbladder removal. However, one of the biggest benefits of gastric sleeve is the dramatic weight loss that occurs within 12 months following surgery. This weight loss may be cause for question.
It’s important to note that which procedures you’ve had performed are nobody’s business but your own. For example, you do not need to disclose to friends, family or coworkers whether you’ve had your appendix removed and the same rings true for weight loss surgery. With that being said, it can be very helpful to inform your spouse and/or immediate family about your operation as having a good support system post-op can make a world of a difference in your success.
At the end of the day, there is no shame in opting for weight loss surgery; there is nothing wrong with taking your health and wellbeing into your own hands by choosing to have surgery. Some may not understand why you chose the surgical route and that’s okay! All that matters is that you made the best decision for your health and happiness – for that, you should be proud!
Ready to take a big step in your weight loss journey? Our highly experienced Toronto gastric sleeve surgery specialists and knowledgeable care team are ready to support you – book your free consultation today.
