My Bariatric Surgery Journey: A Personal Weight Loss Story

Hi everyone, I’m Abed, and I’m here to share a deeply personal story—my weight loss journey through bariatric surgery. This decision wasn’t made lightly. After years of struggling with my weight and trying every diet under the sun, I finally chose surgery. It was a tough road with highs and lows, but I’m proud of where I am today. I hope my story can inspire and help others considering a weight loss journey. I would not recommend surgery for everyone, and this is not what this post is about. I believe there is a perfect plan for you, but surgery may not be the answer for you. I had a lot of medical issues, and my decision was based on consultation with the top surgeon in Austin and with my husband. Just know you always have a friend here at Random Recess. Like so many out there, we know what it’s like to struggle with weight gain/loss and health issues, and this is always a judgment-free place.

My Journey With Weight Loss Surgery

The Pre-Op Journey: Facing the Reality of Weight Loss Surgery

Like many of you, I’ve battled with my weight for as long as I can remember. I tried every diet imaginable—low-carb, calorie counting, intermittent fasting—but each one felt like a temporary solution. I’d lose weight, gain it back, plus a bit more, and the cycle continued. At my highest, I was around 410 lbs, and being a type 2 diabetic, my health was declining. After several consultations with my doctors, I decided to undergo a duodenal switch surgery, a procedure that could potentially send my diabetes into remission. More on this later.

The pre-op process wasn’t easy. It involved months of preparation: dietitian visits, support groups, psychological evaluations, and extensive testing. I also started a liver reduction diet to prepare my body for the surgery. This was my first big challenge—adjusting to liquid meals and shakes. It wasn’t fun, but I kept reminding myself that this was part of the journey toward a healthier me.

The night before surgery was filled with reflection. I’d tried for so long to lose weight, and now I was standing on the edge of something life-changing. I’d asked myself, “Why not keep trying without surgery?” But I knew this was the best long-term solution for my health. I didn’t want to be the person struggling to fit in an airplane seat or worrying about my future. I wanted to live a long, healthy life and be there for my loved ones. The reality was I could only turn back this one time. If I went through with the surgery, there is no reversal.

Surgery Day: Nerves, Excitement, and Support

Surgery day came with a mix of nerves and excitement. My husband, Chris, has been my rock through this entire process. He’s supported me every step of the way, from the difficult pre-op diet to the emotional roller coaster leading up to the surgery. Having a supportive partner has made all the difference, and I can’t thank him enough for being there.

I arrived at the hospital early in the morning since my surgery was the first of the day. I had never had any surgery, so I was unsure about how to feel about it and what I was getting into. My husband is, unfortunately, no stranger to anesthesia and hospital stays, so his experience and wisdom were helpful here.

They took me to the back and hooked me up with a few IVs. I don’t recall anything afterward other than waking up and going to the bathroom.

After the surgery, the real work began. I was sore, tired, and adjusting to my new life. My stomach was smaller, and I could only initially consume small amounts of liquid. Chris was there, helping me endure the pain and keeping my spirits up. We joked and laughed as always, but there were moments of tears and frustration. We leaned on each other through it all, knowing this was just the beginning of a new chapter. The idea that 70-ish percent of my stomach was removed was an odd feeling. The post-op pain was less from the incision points and more from the gas they pumped into me to stretch my skin and help them get to my stomach for surgery. That gas travels up towards the shoulders and neck and is very painful. Oddly, I felt pain from the gas and less from the actual surgery. This was a good thing but something that shocked me.

The Post-Op Phase: Adjusting to My New Life

The first few weeks post-op were tough but also a time of incredible growth. I began to see progress—slowly at first, but it was there. Every week brought new milestones. I went from a liquid diet to pureed foods and eventually to soft foods. My weight began to drop, and I started feeling stronger. The ability to drink more water and eat more grew gradually over time. Time is the healer of all wounds, which was very true in my case.

There were emotional ups and downs, too. I hit a weight-loss plateau at around 282 lbs, which was mentally tough. But I had to remind myself that this is part of the journey. Losing almost 90 lbs from my highest weight was an incredible achievement, and even if the scale didn’t always move, I could see progress in other ways. My clothes fit better, I had more energy, and I felt more confident. Non-scale victories were so important during this time that I called them out. I only weigh myself once a week as my formal weigh-in. This is important to keep some form of accountability. I spent many years ignoring the scale and mirrors. I avoided looking at myself as a form of denial. It wasn't confirmed if I didn’t see the weight on a scale or myself in photos or a mirror.

The post-op phase is challenging because you want to skip ahead and return to “normal” or at least your “new” normal. However, this is essential because good habits will become standard and permanent. I took the time to learn how to hydrate, something I was not great at before. I took the time to learn what foods would sit well with me and what foods I could handle. I took everything one day at a time and enjoyed those non-scale victories along the way.

The Impact on My Partner: A Journey We Shared

A critical aspect of my journey was how it affected my husband, Chris. Weight loss surgery isn’t just a personal journey—it impacts those around you. Chris had to adjust to a new routine, learning to support me through dietary changes, emotional moments, and physical challenges.

But he did it with so much love and patience. We found new ways to enjoy our time together—whether walking through Target to get some light exercise or planning future travels that would be easier for me post-surgery. His unwavering support helped me stay motivated, and we became even closer throughout this experience.

Yes, in the end, it’s my body and my choice. Those choices were not great before my surgery and weight loss journey, so I finally, for once in my life, asked for help from professionals like my surgeon and my family. I chose to have this surgery, and no matter what anyone around me said, I was ready for the journey. I felt it was important to make sure that Chris was okay too. Our lives are connected, so when we decide on travel, restaurants, or anything we can do together, my limitations could be a benefit or hindrance. Luckily, he was ready for anything and so supportive.

Losing weight so quickly is strange because the people who see you often will see it happen slowly and react appropriately, while others you see less frequently will be shocked by your transformation. Often, I feel guilty because people comment on my weight loss and appearance but never say anything about Chris. Chris has lost weight, too, as kind of a benefit of months of dieting on my part and my limitations. He has to hear and read those comments all the time. He’s been so supportive, loving, and focused on his journey that I appreciate that he’s never taken any of those comments and become passive-aggressive or negative towards me. He is my biggest cheerleader, and I am so thankful for his support and love.

Final Thoughts: It’s Just the Beginning

My weight loss journey is far from over. Surgery was just the first step toward a healthier life, and every day, I’m learning how to manage my new normal. There are good and challenging days, but I’m committed to this path. I want to be around my family, enjoy life to the fullest, and never return to where I was.

People treat me differently now, and it’s strange to experience. I get way more eye contact and, honestly, better service than I have in the past. Even at my doctor’s office, I see more enthusiasm when I visit rather than feeling like I am a lost cause. I often visited the doctor, and they almost came across as annoyed that I was even there or that nothing I said about how I was doing or feeling was valid since the scale had not moved.

To anyone considering bariatric surgery or going through their weight loss journey, know you’re not alone. It’s okay to feel scared or unsure but trust the process. Surround yourself with a support system - a partner, friends, or an online community. The journey is hard, but the rewards are worth it. You will have people who make passive-aggressive comments, and honestly, they will be the ones who love you the most. Just remember why you are doing what you are doing. Focus on yourself and less on them. Their insecurities and struggles will, at times, affect you. I remind myself that we’re all struggling and try not to let it bother me. However, setting boundaries is also essential. Those comments get old after a while, and it’s important to let people know that commenting on how much weight you’ve lost or gained is not okay. People now tell me I’ve lost too much and need to stop. Even in weight loss, my body is still a topic of discussion. It sucks, but I get through it because I can do more than I have before.

I have taken on what I call my revenge list of experiences and activities that I was denied in the past due to my size. Check those out on our YouTube Channel.

Thank you for reading my story. If you have any questions or need support, feel free to reach out—I’m happy to share more about my experience and help you on your journey.