In 90 Days - from chronic sickness to a changed life
I was chronically sick with eczema all my life.
Always had cuts and infections and tried everything under the sun, including travelling abroad to see renowned dermatologists, Chinese doctors, naturopaths and nutritionists, to name a few. I was bordering 100kg, developed polycystic ovarian syndrome, was pre-diabetic, had no energy, insufficient sleep, poor concentration and my self-confidence was at an all-time low, so much so that I started isolating myself from social interaction and would make excuses so I wouldn't have to go into the office.
I was close to booking this procedure elsewhere (rushing into it) and felt extremely pressured to book and pay a deposit. I want to flag to anyone starting this journey: if something doesn't feel right, you're probably right. Trust your gut and make sure you've done extensive research to find the best surgeon. This is a major surgery, and you want to minimise the risk of complications and maximise your chances of success. Look at reviews, check qualifications, read forums and testimonials and make sure you thoroughly understand the pros and cons of surgery and who your chosen surgeon is. That's how I found Dr Maani, and I couldn't have been happier with my decision.
Dr Maani and his team are extremely helpful. They are warm, compassionate, considerate, professional and don't put you under pressure to commit like other places (where it feels like a sales pitch). Dr Maani and his team genuinely care that you are making the right decision for you, regardless of whether that means you proceed to surgery (or not).
The process leading up to the procedure and the procedure itself were seamless. The physical healing was the smoothest of any surgeries I have had (which is upward of 10, both health-related and cosmetic). I have felt very well supported throughout my journey and still now, as I continue to recover and adjust to my new life.
I'm three months post-op op and the most significant change (which I didn't even consider as a potential outcome) is that my lifelong chronic eczema has been cured. For the first time in my life, I no longer have multiple cracks/cuts and infections in my skin. It negatively impacted every aspect of my life. I no longer have polycystic ovarian syndrome, I'm not pre-diabetic, I have good quality sleep, my stress levels have significantly reduced, I'm more confident and social, I've dropped two dress sizes in three months (15kg), I have more energy to do activities with my daughter on the weekend, and my mental clarity and focus has improved. The list goes on.
Post-op made me realise how much my life revolved around food... the time I spent thinking about food, buying food, planning to go out to eat, feeling bad for overeating, cleaning up after food, trying not to cave to cravings or binge-eat. Post op, my relationship with food is changing for the better. I eat to fuel my body, and now I have so much extra thinking time to spend on other things that matter in my life. Do I miss eating larger portions? Yes! Do I miss having a drink? Yes! But do the pros outweigh the cons? Absolutely!! Overall, this procedure was life-changing, and my quality of life has shot up more than I could have ever imagined... and it's only month three!
