From Anxiety to Confidence: Post-Surgery Doctor’s Visits

Note from a fellow bariatric patient…

Going to the doctor used to be one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of my life. Before weight loss surgery, I’d avoid it unless I absolutely had to. If I had a cold or something minor, I’d cross my fingers and hope it would go away on its own because the idea of stepping into that clinic filled me with dread. It wasn’t just about the medical issues—it was everything that came along with them, especially the dreaded scale.

After my weight loss surgery, things started to change—slowly at first, but significantly over time. Here is my experience.

Pre-Surgery Doctor Visits: A Cycle of Dread

Before surgery, almost every appointment seemed to revolve around my weight. It didn’t matter if I was there for a sore throat, a sinus infection, or just a routine check-up—the conversation inevitably turned toward my size. I would sit there, dreading the moment the doctor brought it up. She would often deliver the same tired advice: “You need to lose weight.” As if I didn’t know. As if I hadn’t spent years trying.

It wasn’t just the conversations; it was the subtle, everyday reminders that the medical system wasn’t built for someone my size. The blood pressure cuffs were often too small, leaving me embarrassed as they had to go get a larger one. The chairs in the waiting room sometimes felt too tight, their arms digging into my sides. And then there was the inevitable scale and the embarrassment and lectures that came along with it. I left many appointments feeling not just physically unwell, but emotionally defeated, too.

The Weight of Health Problems

Of course, there were the health issues themselves. My weight exacerbated so many conditions—high cholesterol, back pain, high blood sugar (my A1C was over 14 at one point), difficulty sleeping, and high blood pressure. I was constantly reminded that these problems were linked to my size, and while I knew that to be true, hearing it over and over felt like salt in the wound. The solutions they offered felt out of reach: “Exercise more.” “Cut calories.” It was an endless cycle of guilt, shame, and frustration.

Life After Weight Loss Surgery: A New Chapter

After my weight loss surgery, the first difference I noticed was the physical ease of the appointments. For the first time in years, I could step on the scale without feeling the overwhelming weight (both literally and figuratively) of embarrassment. The blood pressure cuff fit without any awkward moments, and I didn’t feel like I was taking up too much space in the waiting room chairs. Those might seem like small details, but for me, they were monumental.

Celebrating Progress, Not Criticism

The conversations with my doctor changed, too. Instead of focusing on what I wasn’t doing or how much I needed to lose, they started celebrating my progress. My primary doctor, who had strongly encouraged me to get weight loss surgery, was stunned by my weight loss and became one of my biggest cheerleaders. It was such a shift to hear praise instead of criticism. It made me want to keep going, to stay on track, because I finally felt like I was being seen for my efforts, not just my shortcomings.

One of the most surprising changes has been how proactive I’ve become about my health. Before surgery, I avoided appointments because they felt like a source of shame. Now, I’m scheduling regular check-ups, following up on lab results, and even asking questions about things I used to ignore. I’m more engaged in my own healthcare because I feel empowered, not defeated. I no longer feel like my size is a barrier to being taken seriously by my doctors.

My health issues have improved dramatically, too. My chronic back pain, which used to keep me up at night, is now rare. I’ve been able to reduce or eliminate some medications, and my blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure are all in a healthy range. These improvements mean fewer appointments overall, and when I do go, the focus is on staying healthy rather than managing preventable conditions.

Conclusion

Looking back, the difference between doctor’s appointments before and after surgery is night and day. What was once a source of anxiety and shame has become an opportunity to celebrate progress and continue improving. I no longer feel defined by my weight, and that has made all the difference—not just in how I’m treated, but in how I treat myself. If there’s one thing I’ve learned through this journey, it’s that taking control of your health doesn’t just change your body—it changes your entire outlook on life.

Sincerely,

—Your bariatric friend