At her heaviest, Pearl C. wore size 20 clothes that were so tight she felt like they were “spray painted on” and would hide junk food around her home so she would not have to share it. All she would think about was food. The 36-year old spent much of her lifetime binging on junk foods and a high calorie unhealthy diet. When she was young, she was tiny but an unhealthy diet over the years ultimately lead to her becoming extremely obese. Pearl would often isolate and avoid social gatherings due to her insecurity with her weight. “I would avoid friends and family because I felt so big and unattractive”. The isolation lead to more unhealthy eating which compounded her weight gain.
Throughout her life, Pearl always loved food but hated exercise. It wasn’t until she was so heavy she realized she couldn’t exercise that she had to make a change. She decided to undergo Gastric Sleeve Surgery to help her lose weight. Before surgery, Pearl weighted in at 256 lbs. After only one year after surgery, she has lost over 120 lbs and counting.
One of the things Pearl began to notice almost immediately upon losing some weight after surgery was single men began hitting on her nonstop. in the past, men hadn’t paid much attention to her. However, with her weight loss her face and body completely transformed. She now fits comfortably in her clothing and has a great time wearing young tight clothes that accentuate her figure. Her friends and family are constantly telling her how great she looks. She has even been encouraged by people to try modeling.
Pearl admits it is still a challenge knowing when to stop eating, but feels surgery has been helpful in telling her body when to stop. She now eats smaller quantities and avoids certain foods that initially lead to her weight gain in the first place.
Pearl is happier now than she has ever been in her life. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my whole entire life. I’m so grateful for the second chance. I just wish that I had done it sooner.”
