Suvechha Sarkar
Unable to get out of bed for over a year or stand for more than a few minutes at a time, Cindy Vela was living a life filled with pain. The then-45-year-old entirely relied on her caretaker for survival and was trapped in a destructive eating cycle. The turning point came when she decided to reach out to Dr. Nowzaradan. Her transformative journey was featured on TLC’s ‘My 600-Lb. Life: Where Are They Now?’ During her first video consultation, the doctor asked her to move to Houston, Texas, for the program. At 614 lbs, Cindy received the goal of losing 70 lbs in one month. However, she struggled to adhere to the strict diet and exercise routine. Ultimately, she chose to leave the program and return home by the third month. However, by the eighth month, severe stomach pain prompted her to call Dr. Nowzaradan once again.
Cindy Vela Overcame Multiple Hurdles to Receive Her Weight Loss Surgery
When Cindy Vela once again reached out to Dr. Nowzaradan for help, he asked her to come directly to the hospital. There, the doctor made it very clear that if she did not make changes sooner, she would not have much time left on her hands. He decided to keep her in the hospital in a controlled environment and even conducted an endoscopy to check potential issues. It turned out that she had a Hiatal Hernia that was causing the pain. In the tenth month, Cindy finally made genuine progress in the hospital with the 1,200-calorie diet. She decided to move back in with her friend to continue working on the program.
Before Cindy was discharged, Dr. Nowzaradan was impressed to note that her current weight had come down to 443 lbs. He gave her a goal to lose 30 lbs in the next two months to show him her progress. Furthermore, the doctor also arranged for physical therapy at her home. In about 11 months, Cindy had gone back to her old eating habits. However, she soon realized she needed to follow the diet and began returning on track since she did not want to lose her chance. Two months later, she arrived for her next appointment at the doctor’s clinic. That time, she managed to walk in on her own, using just a walker. Although Cindy’s goal was to reach 413 lbs, the scale read only 438.4 lbs.
Cindy confessed to Dr. Nowzaradan that she had been snacking in between. However, noting a positive change, the doctor informed her that if she lost 15 lbs more within a month, she would be approved for weight loss surgery. She continued her strict exercise routine and 1,200-calorie diet. Cindy ultimately reached her goal by bringing her weight down to 415 lbs. Hence, she got approval for the weight loss surgery. The surgery was set to take place in the following month, and by then, she had managed to lose an additional 6 pounds. Following the procedure, by the 1-year and 8-month mark, Cindy had brought her weight down to 373 lbs, bringing her total weight loss to 241 lbs.
Cindy Vela is Likely Committed to Her Journey in Private Today
After her appearance on the show, Cindy has stepped away from the public eye. A former student of Gregory-Portland High School, she has never shared much information about her professional pursuits. Unlike several other reality stars from the show, she has kept her weight loss journey under wraps. However, by the end of her episode, Cindy had offered a glimpse of hope. She went fishing with her friends, expressing how she was slowly rediscovering the joy of being outdoors.
As of writing, she is a resident of Chapman Ranch, Texas. While she had previously been active on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, there have been very few recent updates. Her decision to maintain privacy suggests that she may be focusing on healing and rebuilding her life out of the spotlight. On Instagram, she promotes her Swagbucks account, which can help her earn rewards by completing certain online activities.
Despite Facing Profound Loss, Cindy Continues to Move Forward With Strength
Cindy’s personal journey, however, has not been without profound heartbreak. She had always struggled with her weight due to her trauma from earlier years, which she experienced due to a sexual assault by a family friend. Although she began coping with the experience, life brought new challenges. In September 2021, she lost her beloved niece, Meranda Sue, with whom she had shared an incredibly close bond. Furthermore, on January 26, 2022, Cindy suffered another devastating loss with the passing of her stepfather, Raul Garcia Quintanilla. It hurt her profoundly because he was a man she considered one of her biggest sources of unwavering support. These losses of her loved ones have left an irreplaceable void in her life. Throughout the years, Cindy has continued to pay tribute to them through emotional messages on her social media.
Whether dedicating an emotional song to her stepfather’s memory or sharing messages of remembrance, it is quite evident that Cindy continues to cherish the memories of her loved ones with all her heart. Her posts reflect someone who grieves deeply but still chooses love and hope. Despite her loss, she has not let sorrow consume her entirely. Some of her updates often carry expressions of faith and gentle encouragement to find hope in little things. Whether it’s celebrating New Year, Halloween, or Christmas, she always finds reasons to smile. Aside from this, the reality star is a big football fan, with her favorite team being the Dallas Cowboys. She regularly cheers them on during game days. While Cindy may not have shared the details of her current progress, one thing remains clear: she has chosen to move forward one step at a time with resilience.
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