Where is Cindy Vela now? 'My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now' star lost 241lbs after suffering from hernia
PORTLAND, TEXAS: Cindy Vela managed to transform her life after shedding approximately 40 pounds during her time on 'My 600-lb Life'. Cindy's story was revisited in Season 9, Episode 3, of 'My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?' on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, and we're thrilled to report that she achieved remarkable weight loss.
Cindy now enjoys activities that once seemed impossible, such as fishing and spending time outdoors with friends, despite still having progress ahead. While her social media activity has decreased, we remain optimistic that she continues to enhance her diet and exercise routines, continuing to make strides forward.
Who is Cindy Vela in 'My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?' Season 9?
Cindy's story on 'My 600-lb Life' has proven to be one of the most difficult to watch in the program's history. The 45-year-old Cindy, who resides in Portland, Texas, is the subject of 'Cindy's Story,' an episode that aired on January 20, 2021.
Being bedridden places immense strain on Cindy's body, limiting her mobility to slight movements before needing to sit down again. Denise, her caregiver, supports her with daily tasks, including feeding and bathing, due to her condition.
"When I wake up, I try not to think about my life and how bad things are. But it’s hard to do that with my body, which hurts all the time because it’s breaking down. And I don’t feel like I’m even living anymore." Cindy complained on the show, "I’m trapped in this bed pretty much all day, every day," but sadly, she did not seem to be particularly receptive to Dr Younan Nowzaradan's assistance.
What happened to Cindy Vela in 'My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?' Season 9?
Eight months after her initial visit with Dr Now, Cindy experienced significant stomach discomfort, prompting her to reach out to him. Dr Now conducted an endoscopy, revealing that the pain stemmed from a large hiatal hernia.
While it was undoubtedly difficult for Cindy to endure such anguish, some may view it as a blessing in disguise, as it marked the beginning of her journey towards making positive adjustments.
For nearly two months, Dr Now admitted Cindy to the hospital to closely regulate her food intake, limiting her to 1200 calories per day. After this period, Cindy's weight decreased to 443 pounds after two months (10 months after her first virtual session with Dr. Now), marking a total weight loss of 161 pounds since seeking medical attention.
A year and a half after her initial session, Cindy experienced improved mobility. She could now exit the automobile independently, relying solely on her walker for support. She reported eating better, resulting in her weight dropping to 438 pounds.
However, Dr Now set a target for Cindy to lose an additional 15 pounds before authorizing her for weight reduction surgery. Despite her progress, Cindy had only managed to drop five pounds since her discharge from the hospital.
Dr Now, however, set a target for her to lose 15 pounds before he would authorize her for weight reduction surgery because she had only dropped five pounds since leaving the hospital.
Cindy dropped to 415 pounds in a month and was given the all-clear to have surgery the following month. After undergoing a sleeve gastrectomy two months prior (a year and eight months following her initial consultation with Dr Now), Cindy's weight had decreased by a total of 241 pounds.
Sexual assault as a child drove 'My 600-lb Life's Cindy Vela to binge eat
'My 600-lb Life' told Cindy's experience and clarified how she got to where she was. A family acquaintance had sexually molested her when she was eight years old.
Coping with the trauma, Cindy resorted to eating, believing that by gaining weight, her attacker would lose interest. Her consumption escalated until the age of ten when she reached a weight of 140 pounds.
Despite her parents' divorce, Cindy's binge eating continued unabated. By the time she reached thirty, she weighed 500 pounds. Cindy confessed that even when she was bedridden due to an accident and had little activity in her day, she couldn't resist the urge to keep eating.
By this point, Cindy had developed diabetes and acquired lymphedema. Her condition worsened as her oxygen saturation dropped, requiring continuous oxygen support. It became evident that her situation was dire and terrifying. Sandy, her companion and caregiver, urged her to seek assistance.
Even though she needed a lot of inspiration and encouragement, Cindy was able to acquire the support she required to change her life.
'My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?' Season 9 airs on Wednesdays on TLC at 8 pm ET
