Obese woman shows off incredible weight loss after heart attack scare

A morbidly obese woman who was on the brink of a heart attack has lost a whopping 250 pounds after undergoing gastric bypass and excess skin removal surgery.  

Nayara Batista da Silva, 27, from Valparaiso de Goiás, Brazil, struggled with her weight while growing up and would comfort eat and binge on food. At her heaviest, she weighed 374 pounds and wore a size 30 dress. 

‘I developed bad eating habits but for a long time, I couldn’t see these,’ the secretary said. ‘I only noticed something was wrong when it compromised my health. I was unhappy with myself, and I had low self-esteem.’

Before and after: Nayara Batista da Silva, 27, from Valparaiso de Goiás, Brazil, went from 374 pounds to 121 pounds after having gastric bypass surgery 

Scary: The secretary, who wore a size 30 dress before her weight loss, was plagued with nearly a dozen health issues due to her weight, including an increased risk of a heart attack

Nayara’s weight began to affect her health, and she developed nearly a dozen issues, including urinary incontinence, high blood pressure, fat build-up in her liver, insulin resistance, shortness of breath, and an increased risk of a heart attack or heart disease.

‘I found out from the doctor that I had eleven health problems that could be linked back to my weight. With my health deteriorating, I knew I needed to change,’ she said.  

She knew that enough was enough and decided to undergo bariatric surgery. While friends and family feared the procedure would kill her, she never wavered in her decision.  

‘People warned me against bariatric surgery because you can die. They’d say, “Why don’t you lose the weight without surgery?”‘ she recalled. 

Changes: Nayara underwent gastric bypass surgery on August 23, 2018, and had to completely overhaul her diet and exercise habits

New lief: She used to binge on fast food, consuming countless calories, but now she eats a healthy and balanced diet with a maximum calorie count of 2,000

‘Some people have the surgery and still don’t lose weight or their hair falls out or they get sick. I was always confident in what I wanted.’ 

On August 23, 2018, she underwent gastric bypass. During the surgery, the stomach is split into two pouches: one big and one small. The small pouch is attached directly to the intestines, therefore limiting how much food can be consumed.

The surgery was no quick fix, however, as Nayara also had to alter her diet and exercise habits, Previously, she would eat fast food for most meals – consuming countless calories each day.

Now, she eats a healthy and balanced diet with a maximum calorie count of 2,000. Some of her favorite healthy meals include salads and grilled meats.

Transformation: After losing more than half her body weight, she had the excess skin that hung from her stomach surgically removed

Shrinking: Removing the excess skin helped her lose even more inches 

‘Losing weight with surgery is not easy,’ she said. ‘Diets are a big daily change, but it’s been worth it.

Nayara now weighs a svelte 121 pounds and wears a size four. 

‘That surgery changed my life in so many ways – my quality of life, my body satisfaction, and my psychological well-being,’ she said. ‘Today, I feel like a completely fulfilled and grateful person.’ 

Her confidence has since blossomed, while friends have praised her determination and discipline. Even her relationship with her husband, Rubenilson, has improved. 

‘People tell me I’m a warrior and an inspiration. It’s so lovely to hear people are inspired by my discipline and willpower,’ she said. 

Happy: ‘That surgery changed my life in so many ways – my quality of life, my body satisfaction, and my psychological well-being,’ she said

In love: Even her relationship with her husband, Rubenilson, has improved following her incredible weight loss 

‘My husband has always supported me and has never judged me but nowadays, for both of us, my weight loss has made our relationship more pleasant.

‘My self-confidence within our relationship has grown and we’ve become more stress-free as my weight is no longer a concern. It makes less demands on the relationship, which has brought us closer together.’

For those looking to embark on a weight loss journey, Nayara advises taking time to consider what method might be best.    

‘If you want to lose weight, the first step is to recognize what you need. Second, consult a professional,’ she said. ‘I tried several methods before finding the one that suits me.

‘Don’t give up on your dreams. You can get where you want.’