A woman who lived off takeaways and sugary snacks has been left with excess skin weighing 42lb (3st) after losing half her body weight following gastric bypass surgery.
Amanda Roberts, 23, from Temecula, California, tipped the scales at 322lb (23st) when she underwent the surgery – which shrinks the stomach – in 2014.
The food addict then totally ditched her unhealthy lifestyle and went on to lose an impressive 140lb (10st).
Amanda Roberts, 23, from Temecula, California, has been left with excess skin weighing 42lb (3st) after losing half her body weight following gastric bypass surgery
But after losing so much weight in just 18 months, the mother – who has a three-year-old daughter Talia, has been left with 42lb (3st) worth of excess skin hanging from her stomach, legs and arms.
Although Amanda admits she loves her body with or without the skin, she is now fundraising to have it removed so she can lose the extra weight and complete her fitness journey.
Twice as nice! How eating ‘double breakfasts’ can help you…
Do YOUR genes hold the secret to finding The One? Couple…
Who said tattoos have to be permanent! Talented make up…
Poundland for billionaires: Mayfair ‘discount store’ will…
The full-time mother said: ‘After losing over 140lb (10st) in body weight, I’ve been left with a lot of excess skin.
‘When doctors suggested I have the excess skin removed to help lose another three stone, I set up a fundraising page so I could raise $10,000 (£6,851).
But after losing so much weight in just 18-months, the mother of three-year-old Talia (pictured before and after her weightloss) has been left with 42lb (3st) worth of excess skin hanging from her stomach, legs and arms
‘I was addicted to eating food, I would have takeaways, burgers, cakes, chocolate, my eating was completely out of control.
‘My medical insurance covered the $9,000 (£6,166) for my gastric band, and since then I have had to change my diet.
‘I can no longer gorge on fatty foods, and I’m finally able to play with my daughter without getting out of breath.
‘When I’m wearing clothes, you’d never be able to tell there was so much excess skin underneath.
Amanda’s medical insurance covered the $9,000 for her gastric band but she is now fundraising to have the excess skin removed
She said: ‘I can no longer gorge on fatty foods, and I’m finally able to play with my daughter without getting out of breath’
‘But when I take my clothes off, my skin looks like a puddle around me like it’s trying to melt off.
‘Some days I look in the mirror and I don’t feel human because of the skin, but then I realise, it’s these imperfections that make me human.
‘I’m not embarrassed by my appearance but I won’t be able to shift the excess weight and reach my goal of 140lb (10st) unless I have the three stone skin removed.
‘It’s mainly on my stomach but it’s also on my arms and legs.’
Amanda set up an Instagram page to document her weightless journey in 2014 to help inspire others to ditch their unhealthy habits.
Amanda added: ‘I’m not embarrassed by my appearance but I won’t be able to shift the excess weight and reach my goal of 140lb (10st) unless I have the skin removed’
Amanda, pictured before and after her weightloss, set up an Instagram page to document her weightless journey in 2014 to help inspire others to ditch their unhealthy habits
She added: ‘I wanted to help other women by documenting my journey, I’ve changed my life in so many ways and I wanted to share my transformation in photos.
‘I have been left with a lot of excess skin but there’s no need to hide away, I’ll always love my body whatever it looks like but having the skin removed will symbolise an end to my journey that started 18 months ago.
‘I will always be addicted to eating food but now I make the right choices such as vegetables and fruit and because of my gastric band it is impossible for me to over eat.
Amanda, pictured with her fiancé, Brice Simmons, 24, and daughter Talia, says Brice has been very supportive
‘Me and my fiancé, Brice Simmons, 24, has been very supportive and he has lost over two stone.
‘We had planned our wedding but ended up having to cancel it because of financial issues.
‘The recent time I went to try on dresses, Brice actually took me as a surprise to cheer me up after having a rough few days struggling with my body image because of the loose skin.’
Amanda is now looking forward to the future and knows after her final surgery that she’ll have the body of her dreams.
She said: ‘I have been given a new lease of life, I can finally walk the dog in the park, run after Talia and go to the gym.
‘I know I won’t be able to shift the excess skin without surgery as it’s all loose from my pregnancy and weight gain.
To help Amanda raise money for her skin removal operation, visit her fundraising page
‘I can’t believe looking back at photos that it’s actually me, I looked like a completely different person, I’m literally half the size.’