Carmen, a 24-year old woman from Australia recently lost over 150 lbs following Gastric Sleeve Surgery. At her heaviest, Carmen weighed in at 318 lbs, was suffering with sleep apnea, asthma, acid reflux, skin discolouration, and was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. “I was addicted to fast food and junk food. I would often spend up to $100 per day on fast food and would drive miles to get my fix.”
Carmen revealed in intimate detail her extreme addiction to unhealthy foods. “Junk food ruled my life. I was addicted to food. I would often drive to multiple places to get my meals. I would go to McDonalds to get a hamburger, then to KFC for french fries, and then to Hungry Jacks for my drink. I would often binge an entire family box from McDonalds.” In 2019, the young twenty year old was diagnosed with pre-diabetes which really scared her. “My health was rapidly declining. I had terrible sleep apnea and had to use a breathing machine every night to sleep. I also had an array of health problems associated my obesity.” Cameron also admits being diagnosed with a binge eating disorder.
Desperate to lose weight, Cameron began researching different weight loss surgeries. “I wasn’t aware that these surgeries existed, but I seized upon the opportunity fearing it might be my last chance if I didn’t do something.” After ample research she decided to have Gastric Sleeve Surgery. “I was really fortunate my Dad helped me financially with the cost of the surgery. He could tell how sad I was about how I looked and that my confidence was at rock bottom. I was also really nervous that the surgery wouldn’t work for me. But I knew I had to make it work to better my health.”
Two months after surgery Carmen’s asthma, acid reflux, sleep apnea, skin discoloration, and other health problems all disappeared. “The weight quickly started to drop off. Within six months I had lost most all my major excess weight. Looking in the mirror was amazing! The surgery was hands down the best thing I have ever done. I just wish I had done it sooner.”
The extreme weight loss has changed many aspects of her life. ” I feel like I am living rather than just existing, and I can enjoy my youth. I can go out with my friends and not have to worry about what I am wearing or what people will think of me.”
Carmen also revealed experiencing differences in her relationships since she lost the weight. She said Some men who previously rejected me telling me I just had a pretty face have tried to come back into my life since I have lost weight. But I have told them that if they couldn’t handle me at my worst then they didn’t deserve me at my best.” She also remarked that her sex life has significantly improved since shedding weight saying “I used to have so much fat and excess skin covering my private areas. Since losing weight, sex is amazing and I can feel and experience everything.”
She also loves to get dressed up in pretty dresses and high heels with her new body and is only just discovering her sense of style; before she would hide her body in frumpy, baggy clothes. “I went from a size 26 to a size 10. It is amazing! I have lost half of myself, and I am so thankful that I have managed to do this.”
Cameron has completely changed her diet and eating habits following surgery. “Due to my weight loss surgery, I can only eat a certain amount of food now. I have to make sure I choose my food wisely and eat my protein and vegetables first. I have learned about balance in my life. I am healthy 80 percent of the time, and I allow myself treats the other 20 percent of the time. No more spending $100 a day on junk food. I am now saving my money for my first home. I never thought I would get here because I thought I would be obese forever. That made me push for surgery, I needed it because otherwise, my eating would have spiraled out of control and things would have gotten so much worse. I will never look back.”
