Jessica lost 104 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Jessica lost 104 pounds. Her weight gain was related to the trauma she experienced in her mid-20s. In October 2020, she had VSG surgery. Making healthier food choices and working out have been key factors in her success. However, she also transformed her mindset and gained the knowledge, confidence, and courage she needed to create a new lifestyle.

A year ago to this very date, I was working at a dead-end job, and I was with a dude I broke up with the day after surgery! (That’s some tea for another time) I still had my braces, I was dealing with family drama, and I was scheduled to have weight loss surgery in a couple of days. 

I gained 100 lbs. through a trauma I experienced in my mid-20s. My starting weight was 260 pounds. My surgery weight was 242 pounds, and my current weight is 156 pounds. My BMI was 41 (in the Class 3 morbidly obese range). Now, my BMI is 25.18! I’m no longer pre-diabetic. I’ve maintained most of my skin elasticity and avoided loose skin despite losing over 100 pounds. 

Did you know?: I canceled my VSG surgery twice! [Gastric Sleeve] I kept making excuses. Low key, I think I was afraid of SUCCEEDING. Weird, right?! I became so comfortable in my shit that I held on to it tight. It was my identity. I clung to being the victim. I clung to being the girl who was going through it. It forced me not to have to deal with anything and just ruminate. 

When I got my surgery on October 13, 2020, I knew weight loss would happen. But, I didn’t realize all the other blessings that would follow once I dropped the additional weight! It forced me to finally look at myself and face the mirror! I no longer identify with who I was. I no longer hold on to dead weight. I feel free. 

What VSG provided for me was another chance at life. Yes, the weight loss was the main goal; however, the confidence and courage it provided me afterward are what got me here today. 

Succeeding is scary, but what’s even scarier is remaining the same. So which would you rather choose? 

What was your motivation?
Being at rock bottom was my motivation. I kept thinking about the woman I would become. The woman I am today. I kept a skirt on my mirror as inspiration that I would fit in it one day. 

How did you change your eating habits?
After VSG surgery, I could only eat about 1-2 oz of food a day, so that restriction aided in my quick weight loss. I started reducing my carbs to less than 50 grams a day. In addition, I increased my intake of lean meats, veggies, and low-sugar fruits. 

What is your height?
I’m 5’6″.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
It’s all mental. If you don’t fix what led you to the weight gain, it’ll manifest in other ways. 

What advice would you like to share with women who want to lose weight?
I would tell them to seek as much assistance and resources as possible.

• Join a support group.
• Seek help from a registered dietician and licensed therapist.
• If you’ve tried for years with no success, look into weight loss surgery. It’s not easy, and you have to go through a process even to get approved. 

There is a big stigma regarding bariatric surgery, and many people think it’s the easy way out. Bariatric surgery is a tool that assists people who live with obesity in bettering their life health-wise. Nothing about the process before and after is easy. We still need to maintain a lifelong vitamin supplement routine, go to post-op visits, work out, etc., just like everyone else. 

Instagram: @glowupjess