Gabourey Sidibe, the acclaimed actress known for her breakout role in Precious and later appearances in Empire and American Horror Story, has been candid about her struggles with weight and her decision to undergo weight-loss surgery. For the first time, she publicly shares her personal experiences with laparoscopic bariatric surgery, revealing her battle with depression, anxiety, and bulimia, as well as the pivotal role her body image played in her overall well-being.
This deeply personal story, which she discusses in her memoir This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare, marks a turning point for Sidibe, who has spent years working on her relationship with her body.
Gabourey Sidibe’s Struggles with Weight and Mental Health
From a young age, Gabourey Sidibe faced challenges with her body image. Raised in New York City, she grew up feeling self-conscious about her appearance and weight. Her parents’ separation further compounded her struggles, and she developed bulimia and depression at an early age.
Sidibe admits that, like many others dealing with eating disorders, her relationship with food was complex. In her memoir, she highlights how these feelings of shame and discomfort were prevalent throughout her childhood and early adult years, ultimately leading her to develop a negative self-image.
Family and Health Concerns
The turning point for Sidibe came when both she and her brother, Ahmed, were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. With the diagnosis came a stark realization that managing her weight was no longer just about appearance but about serious health implications. “I genuinely worried all the time about losing my toes,” she told PEOPLE. This was a driving factor behind her decision to opt for laparoscopic bariatric surgery in May 2016.
For Sidibe, this was not a rash decision. She had struggled for over a decade to lose weight naturally but found herself unable to maintain long-term results. The decision to undergo surgery wasn’t about achieving a particular aesthetic but about improving her health and well-being.
Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: A Life-Changing Decision
Laparoscopic bariatric surgery, often referred to as weight-loss surgery, involves reducing the size of the stomach, which in turn limits the amount of food a person can consume and helps reduce feelings of hunger. Sidibe’s surgeon explained that the procedure would physically and chemically alter her relationship with food, making it easier for her to adopt healthier eating habits.
The surgery was far from a quick fix for Sidibe. “The surgery wasn’t the easy way out,” she said, addressing common misconceptions. “I wasn’t cheating by getting it done. I wouldn’t have been able to lose as much as I’ve lost without it.”
Following the procedure, Sidibe adopted a new lifestyle, working with a nutritionist to reform her diet and engaging in regular physical activities like swimming and riding a tricycle on the Empire set. This was the beginning of her journey toward a healthier, more balanced life, where she gradually learned to care for her body in ways she hadn’t before.
Sidibe’s Evolving Relationship with Her Body
Despite the significant changes she has undergone, Gabourey Sidibe emphasizes that her journey has always been about health, not beauty. In her memoir, she writes candidly about her hesitations regarding surgery and her concerns about how her body might change afterward. “I know I’m beautiful in my current face and my current body,” she said, explaining that she never sought to fit a particular beauty standard. Instead, she aimed for better health and mobility, like being able to walk comfortably in heels or climb stairs without pain.
For Sidibe, the surgery wasn’t about conforming to societal expectations of thinness. In fact, she admits she didn’t want to become “skinny.” Her goal was simply to lose enough weight to feel comfortable in her own skin and live without the constant worries tied to diabetes. “If I could lose enough to just be a little chubby, I’ll be over the moon,” she wrote. This statement underscores her commitment to embracing herself, regardless of size.
Mental Health and Body Image
Throughout her life, Sidibe struggled not only with physical health but with her mental health as well. Depression and anxiety followed her for many years, and they were exacerbated by her struggles with weight and appearance. However, over time and with the help of therapy, she learned to overcome her eating disorder and rebuild her confidence. Her relationship with food, which had once been fraught with guilt and shame, began to change as she embraced a healthier lifestyle.
Sidibe’s memoir details her emotional evolution as she grappled with both the physical and mental aspects of weight loss. She explains that while the surgery addressed some of her health concerns, the internal journey of self-acceptance and body positivity took much longer. “I was in a war with my body for a long time,” she says, reflecting on the years she spent hating her body. But now, having undergone surgery and embraced a new perspective, Sidibe confidently declares, “I love my body now.”
The Role of Therapy in Healing
Sidibe has been open about the importance of therapy in her recovery, especially in overcoming bulimia and addressing the mental toll of her weight and health struggles. Therapy provided her with the tools to manage her anxiety and depression, and it helped her build a healthier relationship with her body. Her ability to speak honestly about her experiences with bulimia and mental health issues is a testament to her growth and resilience.
Sidibe’s journey highlights the significance of mental health support when undergoing major life changes like weight-loss surgery. While the surgery helped her achieve physical changes, it was the emotional and psychological work that allowed her to fully embrace herself and her body.
Gabourey Sidibe’s Journey Toward Self-Acceptance
Gabourey Sidibe has become a symbol of strength and self-acceptance, not because she achieved a specific weight goal but because of the confidence and love she now has for herself. “There’s nothing ugly about me,” she proudly asserts, challenging both herself and others to reconsider preconceived notions of beauty and worth.
Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that health and happiness do not hinge on fitting a certain mold. Sidibe’s decision to undergo weight-loss surgery wasn’t about looking a certain way, but about feeling better and living a longer, healthier life. And even as she continues to work toward her health goals, she remains firm in her belief that her beauty is not dictated by the size of her body. “My beauty doesn’t come from a mirror,” she says. “It never will.”
Conclusion: A New Chapter of Confidence and Health
Gabourey Sidibe’s story of weight-loss surgery and self-acceptance is one of transformation, but not in the way many might expect. It is less about the physical changes she underwent and more about the emotional and mental growth she experienced along the way. Sidibe’s message is clear: body positivity and health come in many forms, and each person’s journey is unique. For Sidibe, the surgery was a tool that allowed her to address her health concerns, but it was her internal work and dedication to self-love that brought her to a place of peace with her body.
Sidibe’s openness about her struggles with weight, mental health, and self-image in This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare provides a much-needed perspective on the complexities of body image and the pressures society places on women. Her journey is an inspiring reminder that self-love is a continuous process, one that comes not from external validation but from within.
