NSW to fund weight loss surgery

[sushee]

I honestly don't know why I'm overweight. Was it my rape at 18? Or the sexual abuse I suffered as a child? Or none of those things? And what does it matter? This is an aid that has helped many to lose weight and keep it off despite the reasons they couldn't lose the weight in the first place.

I'm just saying that it is an option when you've run out of options. How many obese people will live out the rest of their days heavy and unhealthy simply because they keep getting told that if only they exercised more, and ate less, they wouldn't be fat. Many feel like failures for not being strong enough to take control of their weight.

For me, I feel I am plenty strong enough. Strong enough to survive an abusive relationship, strong enough to TTC for four years and then undergo IVF. Strong enough to work and go to uni and raise a family. Strong enough to cope with a drug addicted daughter. Strong enough to continue to advocate for the things I believe in.

So why have I never been 'strong' enough to lose weight? I don't know. I have tried to, over and over. It has never stayed off. My brother, who has been a personal trainer for over 15 years, was the one who convinced me that it was not about a weakness on my part, and finding a solution took strength. He convinced me that it's because I am strong, that I should take control of my weight by whatever means works for me.

Those who see the lapband as their last option when they're out of options should have access to the surgery, whether they have private health insurance or not. I paid for my own surgery, yet I feel for someone who is worse off than me, but who needs this more than me, but who can't access it because they don't earn as much as me. I think if they pass their screening, they shouldn't have to wait 10 years to get the surgery.