After a young woman was mercilessly mocked for her weight and told she would never get slim, she decided to prove her critics wrong. The end result of her efforts left her unrecognizable.
When Ayala, a 22-year-old digital content creator known as @aayalacatt on TikTok, weighed in at a whopping 280 pounds, she knew she had to do something about her dangerously unhealthy size. She thought gastric sleeve surgery to remove part of her stomach would be the answer, but she was sadly told she was too heavy to safely undergo the procedure.
Critics mocked Ayala, telling her to give up because she’d never get slim. However, the brave 22-year-old had other plans. She was going to get her surgery, even if it meant losing some weight the old-fashioned way. After dropping 25 pounds, Ayala finally qualified for surgery, but her journey, which she detailed on TikTok in multiple jaw-dropping videos, was only just beginning.
@aayalacatt Replying to @Yaz Had a long journey, but having discipline and beliefs in yourself, anything is possible, i always wanted to feel good in my own body so i never gave up and kept going for my goals😤 i can finally say i did it. #transformation #motivation #fyp #weightlossprogress #gastricsleeve #tummytuck #discipline
After losing the weight required for the gastric sleeve, Ayala finally underwent surgery, which really kicked off her incredible transformation. Filming the process in a series of videos posted to TikTok, Ayala’s fans and followers got to watch as she embarked on her weight loss battle, which wasn’t easy—even with using surgical measures to slim down.
Sadly, not everyone was supportive. “You’re never going to lose weight, you keep failing, just stop trying,” read the text on one of Ayala’s weight-loss journey videos, echoing commentary from naysayers. However, she didn’t let it defeat her. Instead, she shed so much weight that she eventually needed to regain some pounds, while still hitting the gym, in order to achieve her body goals.
In an incredible weight-loss win, Ayala shed 165 pounds, reaching 115 pounds. Ayala revealed her truly remarkable transformation in many videos, which she posted to her TikTok channel. These clips often begin with her candidly filming herself at her starting point, which was 280 pounds in 2020. In one such clip, a morbidly obese Alaya is seen wearing a bra and underwear, showing every fat roll that she hoped to lose.
In the next clip of that video, Ayala is seen working out for her gastric sleeve surgery, followed by images from the day of her life-changing procedure. More images emerge of Ayala slimming down as she details the lifestyle changes she made, including a strict diet and cardio, until we see a shocking recent photo. Her success is proudly showcased in many videos on her TikTok account.
@aayalacatt Had a very long journey… but can finally say I made it. Old me would be so proud #greenscreenvideo #greenscreensticker #transformation #plasticsurgery
In her more recent images, Ayala is significantly slimmer. She revealed that she had reached 115 pounds and was preparing for skin removal surgery to remove the excessive loose skin that resulted from her rapid and significant weight loss. Of course, Ayala didn’t just rely on surgery to transform her body.
“I started working out for my skin removal,” Ayala wrote. “Started eating carbs to gain weight,” she added, showing herself weightlifting in the gym. After gaining some muscle, which is a critical step in maintaining one’s weight loss goals, Ayala reached 150 pounds and headed for the operating table again.
@aayalacatt Replying to @JLsquared These are some things i do to maintain my body after sugery. Even after surgery you do end up gaining a lot of water weight & bloatness if you dont take care of your body. #parati #fyp #foryourpage #fakebodyy⚠️ #tt #bbl #maintenance #bloating #massage #gym #gymgirl #lowcarb #diet #dieta #surgery #bloom #postop #abs
After years of hard work, Ayala underwent skin removal with a “tummy tuck” in Sinaloa, Mexico, finally achieving her desired look, according to The Sun. However, her journey didn’t end there. Instead, it’s ongoing. “Seven months post-operative and I’m still going to the gym and maintaining my body,” Ayala said.
There is so much to be learned from Ayala and her journey. First, she reminds us that a lower number doesn’t indicate the “best” or even healthiest body. In fact, she purposely gained 35 pounds back in order to achieve a healthier appearance, gaining both muscle and strength. While many women would think that being 115 pounds trumps being 150, Ayala’s pictures say otherwise, proving that weight really is just a number.
@aayalacatt If you find this, its meant for you too never give up. ———— Si encuentras esto, es para ti también, nunca te rindas. #fypシ #paratipage #gastricsleeve #weightloss #weightlosstransformation #tummytuck
Perhaps most importantly, though, Ayala reminds us that there are no real “cheats” for weight loss. While some procedures might help us reach our goals, they still require some degree of hard work and determination. What’s more, to be truly successful and maintain the gains made, one must change their lifestyle.
Anyone who’s made such a journey—and kept the weight off—will tell you that there is no end goal or destination. Instead, it’s a choice made every day to be healthier, eat better, move more, and make better decisions regarding not only one’s appearance but their health. And that’s what’s truly important here. It’s not about looking better. It’s about actually feeling better, which is a direct result of being healthier. Ayala is an inspiration, and we hope she continues to choose herself and her health for years to come.
