How I broke free from crippling food addiction and dropped incredible weight with a life-saving procedure in Turkey!
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The journey to overcoming food addiction is often fraught with challenges, setbacks, and moments of despair. For many, it's a battle that seems insurmountable, but for Crystal Rudd, a 30-year-old mother-of-three from Fleet, Lincolnshire, the decision to undergo gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey became the turning point in her lifelong struggle with weight.
Crystal's story is one of resilience and transformation, a testament to the lengths one can go to reclaim their health and happiness. Her battle with food addiction began in childhood, following her parents' divorce, when she turned to food for comfort. This coping mechanism soon spiralled into an addiction that would dominate her life for years to come.
By the tender age of eight, Crystal was already a secret binge eater, her addiction so severe that her parents resorted to installing alarms on the kitchen cupboards. Despite these measures, her cravings only intensified, and she found ways to circumvent the alarms, her weight ballooning to a staggering 23 stone (146kg).
The physical and emotional toll of her addiction was immense. Crystal required an adult-sized chair in the classroom, wore a uniform meant for secondary school students while still in primary, and faced relentless bullying that drove her to eat in secret, often in the school toilets or hidden corners.
As she grew older, Crystal's weight continued to fluctuate. She experienced brief periods of weight loss through diet and exercise, but the kilos always crept back. The birth of her three children—Ethan, now 10, Blaze, eight, and Poppy, seven—saw her weight increase further, with the most significant gain occurring after a brief split from her then-boyfriend, Stephen Rudd, in 2018.
During this tumultuous time, Crystal sought solace in takeaways, consuming large portions every night for two months. Her weight reached its peak, and she found herself wearing a dress size 24-26. It was then that Crystal resolved to take drastic action to regain control of her life.
In January 2023, Crystal travelled to Istanbul, Turkey, for gastric sleeve surgery, a procedure that cost A$5,371 but promised a new lease on life. The surgery was successful, and Crystal embarked on a strict diet and exercise regimen.
One year later, she returned to Turkey to have 5kg of saggy skin removed, a necessary step after such significant weight loss. The procedures, coupled with her dedication to a healthier lifestyle, resulted in Crystal achieving a dress size of 8-10 and, for the first time in her life, a flat stomach.
Crystal's transformation is not just physical. She has also entered a beauty pageant for weight loss patients, Miss Bariatric Lincolnshire, and is set to appear in the final in September. Her journey has been marked by challenges, including a knee injury, a severe infection from a spider bite, and the loss of her beloved nan. Yet, through it all, she has persevered.
Today, Crystal is a proud size 8-10, with a newfound confidence and a healthier relationship with food. She has broken free from the shackles of her food addiction and emerged as an inspiration to others facing similar struggles. Her story is a powerful reminder that with determination, support, and sometimes a life-saving procedure, it is possible to overcome even the most crippling of addictions and achieve a healthier, happier life.
For our readers who may be grappling with their own weight and health challenges, Crystal's story is a beacon of hope. It shows that while the journey may be difficult, the rewards of taking control of your health are immeasurable. If you're considering a similar path, it's essential to consult with medical professionals, research your options thoroughly, and ensure you have a support system in place to help you through the process.
Credit: YouTube
Credit: YouTube
We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this topic. Have you or someone you know faced a similar battle with weight and food addiction? What steps did you take to overcome it, and what advice would you give to others in the same boat? Share your stories in the comments below, and let's continue to support and inspire one another on our journeys to better health.
Crystal's story is one of resilience and transformation, a testament to the lengths one can go to reclaim their health and happiness. Her battle with food addiction began in childhood, following her parents' divorce, when she turned to food for comfort. This coping mechanism soon spiralled into an addiction that would dominate her life for years to come.
Crystal Rudd's gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey led to significant weight loss after battling food addiction from a young age. Credit: mi-viri / iStock
By the tender age of eight, Crystal was already a secret binge eater, her addiction so severe that her parents resorted to installing alarms on the kitchen cupboards. Despite these measures, her cravings only intensified, and she found ways to circumvent the alarms, her weight ballooning to a staggering 23 stone (146kg).
The physical and emotional toll of her addiction was immense. Crystal required an adult-sized chair in the classroom, wore a uniform meant for secondary school students while still in primary, and faced relentless bullying that drove her to eat in secret, often in the school toilets or hidden corners.
As she grew older, Crystal's weight continued to fluctuate. She experienced brief periods of weight loss through diet and exercise, but the kilos always crept back. The birth of her three children—Ethan, now 10, Blaze, eight, and Poppy, seven—saw her weight increase further, with the most significant gain occurring after a brief split from her then-boyfriend, Stephen Rudd, in 2018.
During this tumultuous time, Crystal sought solace in takeaways, consuming large portions every night for two months. Her weight reached its peak, and she found herself wearing a dress size 24-26. It was then that Crystal resolved to take drastic action to regain control of her life.
In January 2023, Crystal travelled to Istanbul, Turkey, for gastric sleeve surgery, a procedure that cost A$5,371 but promised a new lease on life. The surgery was successful, and Crystal embarked on a strict diet and exercise regimen.
One year later, she returned to Turkey to have 5kg of saggy skin removed, a necessary step after such significant weight loss. The procedures, coupled with her dedication to a healthier lifestyle, resulted in Crystal achieving a dress size of 8-10 and, for the first time in her life, a flat stomach.
Crystal's transformation is not just physical. She has also entered a beauty pageant for weight loss patients, Miss Bariatric Lincolnshire, and is set to appear in the final in September. Her journey has been marked by challenges, including a knee injury, a severe infection from a spider bite, and the loss of her beloved nan. Yet, through it all, she has persevered.
Today, Crystal is a proud size 8-10, with a newfound confidence and a healthier relationship with food. She has broken free from the shackles of her food addiction and emerged as an inspiration to others facing similar struggles. Her story is a powerful reminder that with determination, support, and sometimes a life-saving procedure, it is possible to overcome even the most crippling of addictions and achieve a healthier, happier life.
For our readers who may be grappling with their own weight and health challenges, Crystal's story is a beacon of hope. It shows that while the journey may be difficult, the rewards of taking control of your health are immeasurable. If you're considering a similar path, it's essential to consult with medical professionals, research your options thoroughly, and ensure you have a support system in place to help you through the process.
Credit: YouTube
Credit: YouTube
