Some things about yourself are easy to change. Take for example your toe nail polish: You can change the color, and if you don't like it, a new color is so easy to change. But some changes are not as simple. For the 1% to 2% of the U.S. teens who are severely obese, losing the extra weight can be one of them. Being severely obese technically means someone has a BMI (body mass index) higher than 40, which is about 100 pounds overweight. Unfortunately the problem is more than that number on the scale. The teens who are severely obese are at risk for serious medical complications like diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, and joint problems, sometimes now and sometimes later in life. For some people, sticking to a strict diet and exercise plan is enough to turn their health around. But for others, even major changes aren't enough. In those cases, where regular weight loss attempts have failed and a person faces medical problems from being overweight, weight loss surgery - also known as Bariatric Surgery may be an option. Bariatric Surgery is definitely not a quick fix, it's not for cosmetic purposes, and it's not for everyone. Weight loss surgery works, sure. But it's pretty serious stuff. Both physically and emotionally. In fact, having the surgery is only one step in losing weight. It's the preparation for surgery and dedication you put in afterwards (learning to adjust to a whole new way of eating and living) that can be extremely overwhelming. And then of course you have risks and side effects. Like any surgery, weight loss surgery comes with some risks. Very few people have serious problems after the surgery. But complications can happen. And last but certainly not least, there are the emotional side effects. It can be hard for some people to figure out a new, healthy relationship with food, especially if you've relied on food for comfort in the past because it has been your escape and best friend when you've felt so alone. Some people can even go through an identity crisis, having trouble relating to others in their new, thinner body. Some people can have such high expectations, thinking that the surgery will bring them popularity and they are disappointed to find out that those problems still exist even when they are a smaller size. Weight loss surgery is no magic pill. There's a lot of hard work involved. But for teens whose health is compromised by being severely obese and who are willing to make the commitment to a new way of life, the effort is well worth it. All my life, I’ve struggled with my weight. I’ve always been the big girl. Two years ago I was at my heaviest. Although it’s not the whole thing, it was a big part of my self esteem issues. When I looked in the mirror, nine times out of ten, I was disgusted by the person looking back at me. I wanted things to change. I wanted to be healthy, I wanted to be happy, I wanted to be able to look in a mirror and like the person looking back at me. 10 years from now when I get married, I want to be able to choose any dress I want, and not have to stick to the plus sizes. I want to be healthy so one day I can have a healthy pregnancy. I didn't want to get diabetes, which would force me to change my lifestyle. I wanted to do this for ME. So I made that decision to have bariatric surgery. It honestly isn't for everyone. I knew it wouldn't be easy. It would take tears and patience. As most of you know, I had complications with my surgery but that doesn't make me regret the surgery at all. Plenty of people gave me so much grief for having the surgery so young, yet NO ONE knew what I had to deal with. I am a much better person because of the changes I made. Looks like I wasn't as stupid as everyone thought!
stormborns
kaledo-art
prguitarman
baratheonpilled
izzy806
areudirty
andulkaphoto
turnnoffyourmind
vaporwave
