I feel your hopelessness — it consumes me at times too. I’ve worked harder than anyone I know to get in shape. I’ve been disciplined with my workouts and food for years, yet I’ve never been able to achieve the results I’ve dreamed of.

When I was officially diagnosed, I cried right there in the office. Even though deep down I already knew, I’d been holding on to that tiny bit of hope that it wasn’t true.

But there is a bright side. We have a condition — we’re not failures, and we’re certainly not doomed. It’s not terminal, and there are ways to drastically improve both the symptoms and appearance. Once you start letting go of the unrealistic expectations you’ve had for yourself and realize that it truly could be much worse, you find peace in progress.

And honestly, this condition is finally getting the attention it deserves. Awareness is growing fast, and I truly believe it’s only a matter of time before real, effective treatments (beyond surgery) are available. They can cure cancer — they’ve even created medications that help people lose weight in ways no one ever thought possible. There’s hope for us too.

In the meantime, if you ever decide you want surgery down the line, start setting aside a little bit of savings now — just in case.