Former Big Brother star Chanelle Hayes has revealed a dramatic 7-stone weight loss after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery last year. The 33-year-old, who shot to fame in 2007, shared before and after photos on Instagram, detailing her battle with food addiction and the physical and mental toll it took.
Hayes said her eating spiralled during the first lockdown, leaving her at 17st 4lb, which she described as 'morbidly obese' for her 5ft 4in height. She suffered from low mood, low self-esteem, and lived like a 'hermit', rarely leaving home. At her heaviest, she was a size 18 and experienced knee and hip pain, as well as a resting heart rate of almost 90.
On 1 August 2020, Hayes had gastric sleeve surgery with Tonic Surgery, which removed a large part of her stomach to limit food intake. She now weighs 10st 1lb, falling within the 'normal' BMI range, and has lost a total of 101lb. 'I was an addict and felt completely powerless,' she wrote on Instagram. 'Tonic gave me a tool and physically restrained me from the huge amount of bingeing I would do.'
Hayes, a mother of two, also revealed that she is now training to become a nurse. She received an outpouring of support from followers after sharing her candid post. The reality star emphasised that her surgery was not due to laziness or ignorance about health, but a necessary step to overcome addiction.
