14/05/2026
A few days back, I was at Hong Kong Disneyland with my family.
Like everyone else, we stood in a long queue for nearly two hours waiting for one of the rides. Excitement, laughter, anticipation - the kind of small moments that become memories.
Right in front of me was a man who was obese. He had waited patiently, too, smiling with his family, equally excited for the experience.
But when his turn finally came, he was politely told he could not take the ride because of safety restrictions related to his weight.
And in that moment, something changed in me.
As a bariatric surgeon, I deal with obesity every day. I talk about diabetes, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, hypertension, joint pain. We discuss BMI, medications, surgeries, risks, and outcomes.
But standing there, I realised obesity is much more than a medical condition.
Sometimes, it quietly takes away life’s simplest joys.
Not being able to run behind your child.
Avoiding photographs.
Feeling anxious in airplane seats.
Skipping adventures.
Being denied experiences others take for granted.
The hardest part wasn’t what the man said.
It was the expression on his face when he quietly stepped aside while others enjoyed the ride.
That moment reminded me why obesity treatment matters so deeply.
Not because of numbers on a weighing scale.
But because every person deserves to participate fully in life - without limitations, shame, or silent exclusions.
Since that day, my perspective toward obesity treatment has evolved even further.
It strengthened my commitment to spread awareness that obesity is a chronic disease, not a lack of willpower. That seeking help is not vanity - it is healthcare.
And sometimes, helping someone lose weight is actually helping them reclaim experiences, confidence, movement, and moments they thought they had lost forever.
As obesity specialists, our responsibility is not only to perform surgeries.
It is to restore quality of life.
And sometimes, even the ability to enjoy a simple ride at Disneyland.
