priyanka_chaks
Since time immemorial, I have been struggling with my weight issues. I was always a healthy, plump child, and as the years passed, I kept piling on the kilograms. I don't know if it was because of genes, or not eating healhty, or not exercising, but I became more fat and by the time I got married I was 85 kgs (187 lbs). I never had any issues though due to my weight. I had always been a pretty active person, always on the go, but I never exercised. Since moving to Dubai, after my marriage in Nov 2007, my lifestyle became pretty sedentry. In a month's time I realised I was pregnant. Well our happiness knew no bounds as we prepared to welcome our daughter into our lives. But I put on a whopping 20 kgs (44 pounds) during pregnancy and that's when my problems started, after my delivery. I got so busy with my daughter that I totally neglected myself (although I had been dieting and exercising on and off, but never able to continue) till my daughter was five years old (in 2013). One day I was looking at some pics someone had taken at a party and I realised how horrible I looked compared to everyone else in the pic. I realised that something had to be done if I wanted to stay healhty and be there for my daughter. I started exercising regularly and also started a diet, but somehow, once again I couldn't stick to the diet. I felt energised due to exercise but my eating habits were far from healthy. Basically I kept feeling that its okay to eat as long as I exercise. I had developed PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) two years after my delivery, which affected my moods and my weight. Finally around October 2015 (my birthday), I realised that I was spiralling down towards depression due to my weight and my eating habits, even though I was working out on a regular basis. My husband (God bless him), has always supported me and loved me through everything, and he finally made me see that my ever growing appetite and stomach need to be sorted out. We started researching about Bariatric surgery and although I did have some concerns (and temper tantrums) over it, my husband finally convinced me to go through with it, so that I can live a longer and happier and healthier life with my family. I got my Gastric Sleeve done on 6th Feb 2016 (no co-morbidities), and it has been just about 17 days since then, but I am feeling much better and healthier. My knee pain is gone, I can walk faster, my appetite has decreased and my mood swings have almost gone. I have lost about 8.9 kgs (19.6 lbs) since my surgery. I have started walking and cycling (stationary bike) at the gym. I feel much more energised and happy. I feel much more in control of my life and health. I feel happy. :-)
