The Danger of Comparison

Note from a fellow bariatric patient...

When I reflect on my weight loss journey after bariatric surgery, I realize that comparing myself to others stole much of my joy. Looking sideways instead of forward can make even the most meaningful victories feel small. More importantly, comparison affected my progress by shaping my thoughts, confidence, and motivation.

How Comparison Affects Your Bariatric Journey

Early on, I would scroll through social media or watch transformation stories and think: Why am I not losing that fast? Why doesn’t my body look like theirs? Am I doing something wrong? Even when I made progress, when the scale moved, my clothes fit differently, or I had the energy to try new things, I would minimize it the moment I saw someone achieving “more.” Comparison didn’t just steal my joy; it could also affect the outcome of my journey.

No Two People Are the Same

The truth is that no two bodies respond to bariatric surgery in the same way. We each have different histories, genetics, habits, stress levels, hormone patterns, health conditions, and lifestyles. Outcomes will vary, and there is real danger in comparing yourself to others.

Numbers make it even easier to fall into the comparison trap. Pounds lost, clothing sizes dropped, calories eaten, and steps walked are all simple to track and compare. But they don’t tell the full story. They don’t reflect the courage it took to have surgery, the emotional work needed to change your relationship with food, or the effort it took to attend that first fitness class.

Celebrate Small Wins Beyond the Scale

Comparison can turn progress into disappointment. It can make us overlook the small victories that deserve celebration:

• Choosing healthier meals
• Saying no to old habits
• Walking further than last week
• Fitting into seats comfortably
• Noticing physical changes like muscles you forgot were there

These milestones might not show up on a chart, but they matter. They reflect growth, healing, and transformation that go far beyond what the scale.

Focus on Your Own Journey

When I remind myself not to compare, I focus more on my own bariatric journey. I remember why I chose weight loss surgery: to be healthier, feel better, and reclaim my life.

There will always be someone losing faster, looking smaller, or posting dramatic before-and-after photos. But there will also be someone wishing they were where I am. The danger of comparison is that it blinds us to the beauty of our own story.

Your journey is unique. Celebrate your wins, acknowledge your growth, and look forward to every chapter ahead.

Sincerely,

—Your bariatric friend