Obesity and loneliness: A past patient story*

Loneliness is something that most people experience from time to time, yet it is somewhat of a ‘hidden’ subject. No one ever likes to admit they are lonely.

Before my weight loss surgery, I was often unable to accompany my friends and family on outings or events, simply because of my size and ill health. They were always very understanding about it and never let me see how disappointed they must have felt at the time.

The thing is with obesity, the bigger you get, the less visible you become because people don’t want to see you. It’s as if they feel it (obesity) is somehow contagious.

Many years ago we were going to book tickets to see a fabulous comedian at our local theatre and I was really looking forward to it. At the last moment, I lost confidence and said I didn’t want to go. I was so afraid of getting stuck in the tiny theatre seats that I wouldn’t even attempt it.

When my family went ahead without me to go to the cinema, theatre or an excursion, I would bravely wave them off and wish them a great time. As soon as they were out of sight, I would burst into tears and hide myself away. I felt like a burden and not a very good spouse or parent either. It would usually end up with me comfort eating as there was no one there to see me do it. So much of my ‘socialising’ was done at home, on my own, online.

People at a family gathering could surround me, with everyone having fun, chatting and having a laugh, yet I would still feel utterly and totally alone. I couldn’t dance, I wouldn’t eat and the medications I had to take meant I couldn’t even have a drink. As for photos – there was no way I would agree to be in any of them, so even now I have no physical evidence that I was ever there.

Having weight loss surgery has freed me from the prison that was my body. I now go out all the time. I meet up with friends and family, go to parties, the cinema, theatre, and have made loads of fantastic new friends. I have a new job and my whole future ahead of me thanks to Streamline Surgical.

It is said that loneliness is a killer. It must be a very long, drawn out death.

Weight loss surgery has saved me from it: I don’t have time to be lonely anymore!*

At Streamline Surgical we understand that taking that first step to a new you can be daunting, which is why we put our patients at the centre of everything we do. If you feel that you are ready to take that step give us a call today and book a FREE consultation with one of our expert bariatric surgeons.

 

*Weight loss surgery results and benefits vary and are different for every individual.