Saba Ansari (BEFORE)

“Relatives from abroad told me about bariatric surgery. I had no clue what this surgery was about. Surfing the internet increased my awareness of this surgery. I believed it would benefit me. However, my immediate family was skeptical about it. My mother even asked me what if the surgery killed me. I told her that I had nothing to lose as being overweight was killing me everyday.

“My family then took an appointment with Dr Prashant Rao, laparoscopic surgeon. The surgery involved tying a silicon band around my stomach creating a small pouch that would control my appetite.

The surgery is reversible and the band could be removed whenever I wanted too. But my main concern was whether it would affect my reproductive organs. I was relieved when I was told that since this surgery is done to the upper part of the abdomen and the reproductive organs and much below, I would have no problem conceiving. Also, I could expand the band when I become pregnant, in order to eat more. It was only then that my parents felt comfortable about this surgery.

For a month after the surgery, I was on a liquid diet. A month later, mashed food followed and after that normal food. This is done so that the stomach adjusts to the band. I started keeping tabs on my diet. I had normal home food in small proportions and I started gymming. For six days in a week, I would follow my diet whilst on the seventh day I would indulge in a brownie.

Saba Ansari (AFTER)

“As I took a year off to deal with this ailment, I was aware of the money, energy and time put in, not only by me but also by my parents. Family support is of tremendous importance and I am very grateful to their support. There were times when I would feel hopeless, even after the surgery, as weight loss for the first few months is slow (1 kg per month) and requires lots of perseverance in fitness and diet.

“However, I put all my energy into losing weight, taking keen interest in my diet and weight training. I exercised without a fitness trainer and went on a diet without consulting a dietician. This is not a guideline for people to follow, however, I knew that only if I took interest in what I wanted would I lose weight. I made sure I didn’t overdo my exercise regime or my diet. However, my doctor has now advised me to visit a nutritionist to make sure I have enough intake of nutrients.

Battling Indian mentality

“Indians always tend to make comparisons as opposed to our neighbours in the west. We thrive on comparing each other and living up to each other’s expectations. Even after losing weight, the feedback I would get from neighbours was negative 70% of the time. I was told to lose more weight and this would disturb me most of the time. However, I believed that barring the negative comments, no matter how much people sympathised with me, it was only I who could help myself.

I now weigh 68 kgs and I wish to maintain this weight because at 5 feet 9 inches, the weight is evenly distributed. Losing weight has brought my irregular menstruation under control. I do not wish to take off the silicon band as it has no side-effects, and it keeps my appetite under control. If it does not affect my rigorous exercise regimen, which includes running and abdominal exercises, I don’t think it would be an obstacle to anything else later in life,” states Ansari, confidently.