This week, we celebrate the successful weight loss of Jessica Johns. Here’s her story:

What Procedure did you have?
I had a gastric sleeve on the 20th of August 2021

What was your starting weight/current weight?
My starting weight was 119kg and I’m currently 53kg. I have lost a total of 66kg

Why did you want to have your procedure?
I wanted to have WLS to give me and my husband a better chance to conceive, be active parents, and be healthy and confident within myself. I was never able to lose the weight myself no matter what I tried due to having PCOS. Now that I have had WLS my periods are regular and hopefully, soon we can start a family of our own.

How were you feeling in your “THEN” photos?
When I look at my ‘Then’ photos I can see a woman who was defeated, lost, sad, and angry. Someone who was so low on self-confidence, who was almost ready to give up on life.

How are you feeling NOW?
I’m happy, confident, content and have lots of love and appreciation for myself. I feel adventurous and excited to take on new things that life has to offer. Don’t get me wrong I still have ‘bad’ days but they are now few and far between. I’m still learning and continuing to grow.

What has been your most memorable Non-Scale Victory?
Definitely, the hike I did in New Zealand. It was 1.5 miles and took around 2 hours but I didn’t even break a sweat. I would never have tried it before WLS and I would have been content with not even trying and missing out on the amazing waterfalls and views. Also creating the friendships that I have within the online WLS community, I have created a community around me of supportive individuals and have built connections with new people I would never have had the confidence to talk to. I was shy and lonely. Now I have so many new friends thanks to one thing in common, weight loss surgery.

What was your experience like with the WLSA team?
It was good, I felt supported and was given the best information to help me succeed on this journey.

Is there anything else you’d like to include in your Story?
The most important part of my journey has been sharing my experience online, the good bad and ugly side of WLS. I find it has really helped me stay accountable. Still to this day, I may look in the mirror and see myself as I was at 119kgs. Body dysmorphia is hard but having photos to look back on and being able to then tell me “Hold on, look what you have achieved, you’re the same person but you’re no longer here anymore” Is so important. I always tell people to take those ‘Then’ photos because it truly helps. Don’t get caught up on a goal weight. I know that a lot of people go into having WLS with a goal weight in mind and that’s totally fine, have your goals. I think that is important but what’s even more important is remembering that if you put too much pressure on yourself and fall short that then leads to disappointment. You accomplish and go through so much to then be disappointed in yourself. In the wise words of Leslie “No expectations equals no disappointment” and I live by that.

WeightLoss Warrior
Jessica Johns

Message from WLSA:

Jessica, thank you for trusting us and being such an inspiration in our weight loss surgery community. It truly is the honest sharing of the WLS journey that helps others still sitting on the fence to truly take the courageous step in transforming their lives beyond the sole focus of a goal weight. We are so proud of your achievements so far. Living by Leslie Hartley’s nuggets of wisdom plus guidance from the rest of WLSA medical experts will definitely help you meet more life’s meaningful moments and milestones. Keep up the great work!

Felicity Cohen

CEO of WLSA

Find out which bariatric procedure(s) can help you lose weight effectively. Start a confidential conversation with us on Messenger now

*Disclaimer: Results may vary for each person

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