Annalisa, 37, from Sheffield, thought a plus-size holiday in Bali would be a confidence boost. Instead, it became the wake-up call that transformed her life. Weighing 156kg at the time, she struggled with basic activities and felt self-conscious among others on the trip. The experience motivated her to take drastic action, ultimately leading to a remarkable 55kg weight loss, according to The Sun Health.A Beautiful Place, But a Humbling Experience “I thought it would give me confidence to be comfortable in my own skin, but it actually had the opposite effect,” Annalisa told The Sun Health. She recalled struggling to even use the tray on the plane seat, feeling embarrassed and anxious throughout the holiday. The white sandy beaches and sunlit surroundings could not mask her discomfort.
“Being on a plus-size holiday made me even more aware of how overweight I actually was,” she said. “I couldn’t wait to get back home.”
The Decision That Changed Everything After careful consideration with her doctor, Annalisa decided against appetite-suppressing medication. She opted for a gastric sleeve operation in Turkey in October 2024, removing a large portion of her stomach for permanent results.
“Within hours I was in the operating theatre, and it went well,” she said. “Within days I was walking around and then back on the plane home. It was a total change from my previous diet.”
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Before surgery, Annalisa’s diet was dominated by McDonald’s breakfasts, pizza, chocolate, and crisps. Post-surgery, she started with liquids, moved to pureed foods, and finally small portions of solid meals. The weight began to drop steadily, taking her down to 101kg, and a dress size from 32 to 16.
Confidence and Flexibility Restored Her transformation was evident during her next holiday—a yoga retreat in Goa in January. “I could even get into the lotus position and the downward dog,” Annalisa shared. Beyond physical flexibility, she reports a renewed sense of confidence, social freedom, and dating success. “I’m no longer anxious or embarrassed. I love socialising, walking, and being myself,” she said.
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