The Obese Don’t Fit Into Society- in More Ways Than One

In a world where fast food and egos are supersized, being morbidly obese quickly shoves one to the outer fringes of acceptable society. When a celebrity is photographed and makes the front pages of the tabloids for bulging up to a size 10, or horrors, even larger, those of us who would be thrilled to be able to wear a size 10 remain constantly reminded of the fact that no matter how many spaces we take up in line, we don’t belong . Forget the health issues, forget the impaired lifestyle- for many of us, the most traumatic negative impact that obesity has on our lives is that we do not fit in. We don’t fit in normal clothes, we don’t fit in booths at chain restaurants, we don’t fit in business class airline seats, and we barely fit in our own lives.

After decades of attempting to lose weight, and finding that no matter how desperately we tried, or how vigilantly we adhered to even the most limited diet, we were on a roller coaster ride (and the closest to an amusement park ride that OUR backsides would fit into during those years) throughout which we would lose 5 pounds, and then gain 10, lose 10 pounds, and then gain 20. Losing and gaining hundreds of thousands of pounds, of dress sizes, and of money spent on every imaginable potential weight loss “cure”.

From reduced calorie frozen dinners, to butter substitutes, to liquid protein shakes, we displayed our inner strength; often while watching those who were blessedly slim by nature devour goodies that we would never dare to taste. All the while knowing that no matter how many calories we counted, how many we omitted, and how much we abstained, there was little hope that we would lose enough weight to be considered “normal” in spite of all that we did without.

The Lap Band surgical procedure has changed the world for many of us. A simple laparoscopic minimally invasive surgical procedure- that actually works. Applying pressure to the top of the stomach so that the brain receives the sensation of a full stomach with only a cup of food, and without altering the way in which food is metabolized, we now have the potential to undergo a safe means of losing weight. Now, those of us who have benefited from this procedure have rejoined society- we can fit in seatbelts, purchase clothing at regular stores, walk without becoming incapacitated by shortness of breath, and yes, even fit in the roller coaster at the amusement park.