Barbie fanatic who tipped the scales at 340lbs reveals her incredible transformation after losing 182lbs in two years thanks to gastric sleeve surgery
- Kayla Lavende, 35, from Sydney, said she was ‘happy’ tipping scales at 340 lbs
- But felt her life was constrained with issues in cinema chairs and aeroplane seats
- Had a gastric band and ended up losing a whopping 182lbs in just two years
- The Barbie fanatic revealed: ‘I didn’t have surgery to look good but to feel good.’
A Barbie fanatic who tipped the scales at 340lbs has revealed her incredible transformation after dropping a whopping 182lbs in just two years.
Kayla Lavende, 35, from Sydney, said her parents would reward her with Barbie dolls for losing weight when she was a child and has been in love with the dolls aesthetics ever since.
But despite being a ‘happy fat girl’ at 340 lbs (24st 4lbs), Kayla decided to change her ways when her weight caused limitations such as cinema trips and aeroplane rides.
She went on to have a gastric sleeve and now, two years on, weighs 163.8 lbs (11st 7lbs) and continues to wear vibrant, Barbie themed clothing whilst flaunting a size 8 frame.
Kayla Lavende, 35, from Sydney, tipped the scales at 340lbs (24st 4lbs) (left) before having gastric sleeve surgery and losing 182lbs (13st) in just two years (right)
Kayla became obsessed with Barbie dolls as a child when she would be rewarded with the toys after losing weight
Kayla, who lives now in Las Vegas, US, said: ‘My obsession with Barbie began as a child and has continued into my adult life – I used to have over 200 dolls as my parents used them as an incentive to go on a diet and lose weight.
‘Barbie was always my reward and inspiration.’
She even branded herself the ‘plus size barbie’ when she was a size XXXL.
Kayla added: ‘But it didn’t matter how hard I tried or what diet I was on, I could rarely shift the weight – or I would lose some then re-gain double.
Kayla said she was a ‘happy fat girl’ at her heaviest, but became worried when she began struggling with day-to-day things like fitting into aeroplane seats
The Barbie fanatic said her weight spiralled out of control when she moved to Las Vegas from her hometown of Sydney
Kayla revealed she struggled to shift the pounds for years, and would often regain the weight quickly
The Barbie fanatic said she used fashion to ‘distract people’ from her weight, and would hide behind her eccentric taste in clothes
‘When I moved to the US, my weight really spiralled out of control due to the huge portions and my busy work schedule that meant I only had time to eat at midnight.
‘I’d eat a huge bowl of pasta or a take-away during my drive home and sugary snacks throughout the day like biscuits.
‘I used fashion to distract people from my weight – it was something to hide behind. I was always the happy fat girl until I wasn’t happy any more.’
She revealed: ‘My BMI was at 61 and stated I am morbidly obese which was a massive reality check up – I feared I may die.
‘This massively impacted my mental health and I didn’t feel good anymore and knew I needed to change.’
Kayla added: ‘I knew I needed to physically change when I required two seats on the plane – I remember looking down and feeling mortified.
‘I didn’t want to live my life with limitations and I knew I would need some extra help so a gastric sleeve was the best tool for me.’
Kayla has since lost 13st and is feeling happier than ever – she says it was about ‘feeling good rather than looking good’.
She now has a good relationship with food and works out seven days per week.
‘The sleeve is a tool but not an easy fix, I still need to put the work in but it is irreversible and I can’t get the 80 per cent of my stomach back which works for me.
‘I’ve learnt to eat for fuel and smaller portions and breakfast in the morning is imperative. I eat 90 grams of protein a day, 10 grams of carbs and five grams of sugar.’
After deciding she didn’t want to live life with limitations, Kayla went on to have gastric sleeve surgery and lost an incredible 182lbs (13st) in just two years
While she said the surgery was ‘not an easy fix’, Kayla said she is now determined to keep the weight off
The Barbie fanatic has now learnt to eat smaller portions and works out seven days a week because she ‘enjoys it’
Kayla explained: ‘I didn’t have surgery to look good but to feel good.
‘I am now physically fit and work out seven days a week because I want to and enjoy it.
‘I can meet my friends and go for hikes – socialising doesn’t focus around eating anymore.’