How ‘1000-Lb Greatest Buddies’ Star Vannessa Cross Gained ‘Happiness’ Out of ‘Distress’ Following Bariatric Weight Loss Surgical procedure

Loving the journey! 1000-Lb Greatest Buddies star Vannessa Cross didn’t wish to bear bariatric surgical procedure — till a household tragedy and a well being scare modified her thoughts.

“I by no means actually wished to [lose weight]. I used to be type of towards it. I’ve had a number of surgical procedures on account of my medical points all through my life. So I don’t wanna put myself below the knife and I [was] pleased being fats,” Cross, 44, completely informed Us Weekly whereas selling season 2 of her TLC sequence. “However once I misplaced my father after which was identified with most cancers — and I’m now most cancers free, thank God — It woke me as much as see that life is brief. Life will be taken away from you in a matter of a second. So it’s time to both begin doing one thing or quit on life altogether.”

The Georgia native, who has starred on 1000-Lb Greatest Buddies because it premiered in February 2022, initially couldn’t lose the load essential to qualify for the process. Nonetheless, she ultimately made small modifications to her life that helped her attain her objectives — however that doesn’t imply it was simple.

“I began getting my life collectively. The very first thing I did, the very very first thing I did, to start out shedding weight was I lower out soda, I lower out sugar and I lower out bread,” she informed Us. “These have been the toughest. It’s essentially the most traumatic factor you’ll be able to ever do in your life. I had melancholy, I had anger. When you’ll be able to’t eat your meals, when your habit, your happiness, your pleasure has been meals for thus a few years. And I’m speaking 20-plus years in my life, 40-plus years, proper? It’s been my happiness, it’s been my pleasure, it’s been my pleasure.”

Whereas Cross stated she was “depressing” making an attempt to shed kilos, she finally realized that “within the distress, I used to be gaining happiness.” Now, she desires different individuals to know beginning a weight reduction journey doesn’t should really feel like torture.

“I don’t need anyone to suppose that it’s a must to be sad and depressing,” she defined. “No, you will be pleased and drop pounds. You must make your self pleased. I discovered pleasure in coloring, stitching, getting out, going to thrift retailer, looking out round issues, like, that’s the place I discovered my pleasure, my consolation as an alternative of consuming.”

The TV persona revealed that she misplaced a complete of fifty lbs over time earlier than being accredited for bariatric surgical procedure, however following the process, she started to drop weight “quick,” dropping over 70 lbs inside the first six months on account of being placed on a liquid weight loss plan — one thing Cross known as “no simple feat.”

Now that she’s on the opposite facet of surgical procedure, the truth star is all about staying optimistic and spending time along with her 1000-Lb Greatest Buddies costars — Meghan Crumpler, Ashley Sutton and Tina Arnold — and even going out on a couple of dates.

“My factor is, [when I was] the massive fats Vannessa, a date would’ve been me going to his home, doing the dang factor after which me going dwelling. Once I say courting now, it’s so totally different,” she defined, including that she’s met two males — a surgical technician and a cop — who’re each “good individuals.”

Whereas Cross says she does wish to get married once more, she’s holding her “choices open” and ready for The One. “As I alter my expectations of a boyfriend that additional could be a husband is altering as a result of my wants are altering. My desires are altering. I would like somebody that’s barely on a wholesome stage in order that I don’t should battle or argue over any type of meals or something like that. So choices are open. I’m doing fairly good with it.”

As for if Cross’ romantic life shall be featured on the present any time quickly, followers should see, however the mother of two hinted that she isn’t ruling it out. “There could also be one thing,” she teased.

1000-Lb Greatest Buddies airs on TLC Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET.

Maintain scrolling to be taught extra about Cross’ weight reduction journey and life after surgical procedure: