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At first I thought that giving a testimony about my bariatric surgery would be
easy. I mean what could be so difficult just tell them the story of how big you
were before the surgery and how you thin you became after the surgery. Just that
plain and simple and don’t forget to tell the readers that they must all go for
the surgery. But that would not even be half of the story. Yes I was what the
doctors would describe as morbidly obese I mean a weight of 220 kg one cannot
describe as lightweight. The strangest thing is that I never felt uncomfortable
with my weight, I never felt fat. I was born with spina bifida which meant that
my physical activities were also limited. And this contributed to my obesity as
well as very unhealthy eating habits. During a routine visit to my doctor he
suggested that I should go for the bariatric surgery. He made this suggestion
based on his concern for my future health. I made an appointment with Dr Nel.
During the consultation I was clearly made aware of the risk involve during and
after the surgery but I was only interested |
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into getting thin quickly and going back to my life as normal. Everything was
organized and I wasup for surgery. The morning of 17 October 2007 at about 9h00
I went into the theatre and during the next few hours my life completely
changed. Normal life as I know it will never be normal again. I had to learn to
live again and yes it was not only about food and eating. It had more to do
about taking your health for granted and about the quality of your lifestyle. I
walked the long road of recovery. The road filled with set backs and victories.
Set backs like going back to hospital for lung infection and victories like
finishing your first cup of soup. What I thought to be just a short road trip
became the journey of my life. Yes because it changed the direction of my life
completely. And looking back at the journey of the last three years I only see
victories because they were far more greater than the set backs. Some victories
were small and some were big. The biggest one is when you look in the mirror and
you can say “Hey I like this guy I am seeing”. So therefore I want to carry on
with this journey. This means that I still have to watch what I eat. I made my
two major enemies, sugar and fat my friends by limiting my intake of them. Yes I
go out to functions and restaurant and now I look for the tastiest item on the
menu and not the biggest one. This journey is not just about me, but also about
my fellow travellers people like Jeremy and Sjaron Nel who made it their calling
to give people their lives back. And also about my closest companion my wife
Tosca, the one who gave me a reason to live when I had none left. Lastly my
Saviour who gave me life in abundance. And if you are still wondering about the
success of the surgery, well after losing about 130 kg I would describe it as
successful. |
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“Dr. Nel how much is the operation going to
cost me?”
I asked and he told me the amount.
I was shocked taking in account all
my bills I needed to pay. And judging from my facial expression he quickly asked
me a counter question:
“How much did your car cost you?” I blurted it out
immediately.
“ You see now – you are prepared to pay all that money for a car,
but not prepared to pay for something more precious like yourself, and while the
operation only cost a fraction of what you pay for your car!” he said with his
signature cute- naughty- boy – smile!
That was a heavy blow to my conscious and
I was sold on the idea that for once I needed to pay some good bucks for me! The
rest as they say is history…..
I have a long standing relationship with fat and
obesity. Not only do I come from a family with the fat gene, we the Karuaihe’s
love to eat and in fact enjoy food to the fullest savory taste. My dad was a
big, tall, handsome, extremely intelligent, well dressed giant. My mom was a
tall, beautiful, well-groomed, smart lady. My seven sisters and 4 brothers were
not different from their parents. We are proud Ova-Hereros and to be fat was
considered to be wealthy and not unhealthy or ugly. So as far as I can remember,
in our household, the most important emphasis was placed on going to the
university and working hard.
The worst part is, people in Namibia seemed to
accept us like that. It was almost as we were synonymous with being overweight.
I was an active child and I bet my parents thought I will not show the fat gene
in my live. But by the age of seven I was fast gaining weight and by age twelve
I could be classified as overweight. As a teenager I had to succumb to peer
pressure and started to lose weight. I started with Redupon diet pills and then
lost all the “baby fat”. I participated in beauty contests and became a teen
model with Namibia’s famous model, Cynthia Schimming. All went well until I gave
birth and then it was hard to get the fat off completely. By the time I went to
see Dr. Nel, my weight has ballooned to 141Kg! My husband Ngamane Karuaihe-Upi
did not help matters at all. He loved me just the way I was. Can you imagine!
But I must add that he remained my biggest supporter in what I wanted - fat or
fit! My sisters Patty Karuaihe-Martin and Seuaa Karuaihe, were hundred percent
behind me, to bury the lard once and forever. Following my Gastric Bypass
operation that was really a walk in the park thanks to the professional work of
Dr. Jeremy Nel:
- I have lost 50kg and still working hard on reducing my weight
- Remember the Gastric By Pass is only a tool to assist you with weight loss - you still need to work hard
- I have completed two half marathons, the Two Oceans in Cape Town and the Victoria Falls Marathon in Zimbabwe
- People treat and react with more appreciation and respect as opposed to ridicule and wonderment
Since my operation I have recommended it to three friends who have
successfully done the operation with Dr. Nel. They look amazing!!!! The Medical
aids must now allow those who qualify to have the operation. This will cut down
on other obesity -induced operations such as knee and hip surgeries that cost
them even more money! Have a heart medical insurances and assist where the real
need is please. I am speaking out for those who are in the same fix I was in and
who have not other options. Obesity is a kind of disability. A horrible prison
of fat and worse of all frowned upon by society! I am free as a bird in flight.
Thank You Dr Nel and your lovely wife, Sjaron!
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