Fatima Al-Saffi: "I did a body procedure, thinking I’d turn into Barbie"

Negligence and haste reopened the wound, plunging Ilham, Haya, and Hanadi Al-Kandari into terror

Artist Fatima Al-Safi revealed details of her journey with weight loss and body-tightening surgeries, explaining that she resorted to some wrong decisions and learned from them until she reached a firm conviction after years of experience. She noted that illness was the cause of her losing a significant portion of her weight.

In an interview via Snapchat, Fatima Al-Safi stated that her first cosmetic procedure was to eliminate abdominal sagging, adding that she went to the doctor fully convinced of the decision. She explained that she asked the doctor to tighten her abdomen and perform liposuction, as well as reduce the size of her arms, noting that her body was proportionate at the time, despite her relatively high weight.

"Ideal Figure"

She mentioned that she was convinced she would emerge from the surgery with an ideal body without needing to exercise or follow a healthy diet, only to later discover that the reality was completely different. Recalling details of that period, she said: "I thought I would come out of the surgery like Barbie, with no belly, no exercise, and no dietary restrictions." She clarified that this period predated the popularity of gastric sleeve and bypass surgeries, emphasizing that weight-loss options were different back then compared to today.

"The Bacteria"

She added that she lost a large part of her weight due to a stomach bacteria infection, dropping to 60 kilograms. She said, "My weight reached 60, and for me, I was like Barbie." Fatima Al-Safi pointed out that her appearance after losing weight was more beautiful to her than ever before, even though it resulted from illness rather than a healthy lifestyle. She noted that she was happy with that look despite the fatigue she felt. She confirmed that after recovering, her weight began to increase again, leading her to realize that surgeries alone cannot prevent weight regain.

She continued recounting her journey with cosmetic procedures, particularly after deciding to undergo a second surgery due to dissatisfaction with the appearance of her arms. She stressed that the result was beautiful, but she paid the price for her haste and quick return to work.

"Recovery"

She explained that she returned to filming before fully recovering, which caused her wound to reopen during the shoot, forcing her to visit the doctor again. She noted that actresses Ilham Al-Fadl, Hanadi Al-Kandari, and Haya Abdul Salam were with her during those moments, and she could never forget how Hanadi felt terrified for her and accompanied her to the doctor.

She indicated that she decided to change her lifestyle after that surgery, especially since the doctor assured her that the procedure alone would not achieve her dream, telling her: "Everything you did without the gym and healthy eating won’t work. This is all nonsense." She confirmed that she adhered to a protein-rich diet based on that advice and gradually resumed exercising after the recovery period ended. Fatima Al-Safi admitted that she had expected to achieve a fit body through cosmetic surgery alone and kept some photos as a goal she wanted to reach.

"Weight Loss"

Artist Fatima Al-Safi revealed that she underwent an experience with weight-loss injections before the widespread availability of the modern drugs currently in circulation, confirming that she suffered from their side effects despite successfully losing weight.

She said she never hesitated to speak about this experience, considering it part of her personal journey, and added, “I was exhausted… exhausted… exhausted, but I grew weak.” Fatima Al-Saffi emphasized that all the doctors she consulted agreed that cosmetic procedures and weight-loss medications do not yield sustainable results without a change in lifestyle. She noted that the doctor stressed the necessity of adhering to a healthy diet and exercising, affirming that no medical intervention would be effective in the long term if not accompanied by a genuine transformation in one’s way of life.