Remi Bader, a prominent plus-size influencer, has recently opened up about her weight loss journey, addressing the questions and commentary surrounding her body transformation. Her story is complex, encompassing struggles with binge eating, various weight loss attempts, a challenging surgical procedure, and ultimately, a path toward self-acceptance.
Previous Attempts and Struggles
Prior to undergoing weight loss surgery, Remi Bader explored various avenues to manage her weight and address underlying health concerns. She revealed that she had "already tried everything," including a six-week intensive binge-eating program and Overeaters Anonymous meetings. Remi also experimented with Ozempic multiple times, as well as other semaglutides, but they proved ineffective for her.
Remi's struggles with dieting began early in life. Growing up in Manhattan, she estimates she went on her first diet around the age of 10. Dieting was a regular occurrence throughout her upbringing, including multiple WeightWatchers attempts and the Fast Metabolism Diet. She recalls feeling pressured by her family to lose weight, with a family member even offering her "a thousand dollars to lose 20 pounds." This led to a restrictive diet cycle that worsened over time.
In 2020, Remi was prescribed Rybelsus, an off-label oral semaglutide medication, for her binging. When it didn't work, her doctor prescribed Ozempic, also due to her prediabetic condition. However, she experienced daily vomiting and discontinued the medication after a few months.
Over the next two years, Remi tried various treatments for her binge eating, including therapy, a psychiatrist specializing in disordered eating, Contrave (an oral weight loss medication), Wellbutrin (an antidepressant), and Overeaters Anonymous meetings. In May 2022, she attended a six-week outpatient eating disorder treatment program focused on intuitive eating and the Health at Every Size (HAES) model. Unfortunately, her binges returned soon after leaving the program. In September, she secretly tried Mounjaro, but experienced daily vomiting and discontinued it. In January, her doctor switched her back to Ozempic and added Metformin, but the vomiting persisted, leading her to stop the medication for good. In June 2023, she tried Vyvanse as prescribed by her doctor, but it was also ineffective.
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All of the yo-yoing left Bader with emotional whiplash, and her eating disorder came back with a vengeance.
The Decision for Weight Loss Surgery
Ultimately, Remi Bader made the decision to undergo single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) in December 2023. This decision stemmed from a combination of health issues, including chronic pain, back problems, high cholesterol, heart issues, fatty liver disease, and concerns about infertility.
Remi emphasized that people with bigger body types could be healthy, and admitted that she was "so jealous" of her friends who were confident in their bodies. But, she said, "My journey was different. I was in pain. I was struggling with health, and this is what I felt I needed to do."
Single Anastomosis Duodenal-Ileal Bypass (SADI-S)
SADI-S is a bariatric surgery that combines a sleeve gastrectomy with a duodenal switch. The sleeve gastrectomy involves removing approximately 80% of the stomach, creating a smaller, tube-shaped stomach. The duodenal switch involves connecting the upper part of the small intestine to the lower small intestine, reducing the body's ability to absorb fat and calories.
The Difficult Recovery
Remi described her recovery from the SADI-S surgery as "the most brutal thing" she had ever experienced. She suffered from prolonged vomiting, dehydration, and an inability to eat or drink for weeks. The recovery process was far more challenging than anticipated, leading to a "very, very deep depression" and a period where she "did not want to live anymore."
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Mental and Emotional Challenges
Remi openly acknowledged the mental and emotional challenges she faced throughout her weight loss journey. She emphasized the importance of mental health and self-acceptance, regardless of body size. Remi also addressed the societal pressures and unrealistic expectations surrounding weight loss, noting that she has received criticism for being "too big" and "too small" at different points in her journey.
She also stressed this: “I am a lot bigger than my body and will always be the same Remi no matter what I weigh, and that I am sure of.”
Current Health Routine
Since recovering from the surgery, Remi has made significant lifestyle adjustments. She is seeing a therapist, working out regularly, and experiencing fewer binge-eating episodes. She has also had to adjust her eating habits, as she cannot drink and eat within the same 30 minutes without feeling sick.
She works out, regularly doing Pilates and yoga, saying she’s proud to have found workouts that work for her body right now. She sees a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and has experience working with patients who have had bariatric surgery.
Celebrities and Weight Loss Methods
Remi Bader is not alone in her pursuit of weight loss and improved health. Several other celebrities have also shared their experiences with various methods, including weight loss medications, lifestyle changes, and surgery.
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- Andy Cohen: Cohen revealed that he lost a "good chunk of weight" by micro-dosing a GLP-1 medication. He emphasized that his decision was motivated by both weight concerns and the desire to address plaque in his arteries and high blood pressure.
- Jelly Roll: Jelly Roll publicly discussed his weight loss journey. He emphasized that his success was not dependent on his weight and that he wanted to demonstrate that he could achieve his goals despite it.
- Kelly Clarkson: Informed by doctors she was pre-diabetic, Clarkson attributed her weight loss to listening to her doctor and taking medication to help break down sugar. She clarified that she was not using Ozempic.
- Oprah Winfrey: Winfrey acknowledged using a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier. She described it as a "relief, like redemption, like a gift."
- Tyler Perry: Perry credited nutritionist Sean Torbati for guiding him toward healthier eating habits and incorporating hot yoga into his routine.
- Danielle Brooks: Brooks revealed that she used Mounjaro to help her drop weight after taking steroids for a film role. She also emphasized the importance of working with a dietician and making significant lifestyle changes.
- Whitney Way Thore: Thore expressed her frustration with the obsession over her body and emphasized that she is fabulous regardless of her weight.
- Valerie Bertinelli: Bertinelli shared her experiences with body image pressures and encouraged others to focus on their character and worth rather than their size.
- Post Malone: Malone attributed his weight loss to "dad life kicking in" and his decision to cut out soda and eat better.
- Kelly Osbourne: Osbourne revealed that she lost 85 pounds after giving birth, but cautioned against her strict approach, which she described as "miserable."
- John Goodman: Goodman shared his long-term weight loss strategy, which includes a Mediterranean diet, exercise, and a commitment to avoiding old habits.
- Tammy Slaton: Slaton celebrated her weight loss achievements, including being able to buckle a seatbelt without an extender.
- Brittany Cartwright: Cartwright, a Jenny Craig brand ambassador, emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy routine for her son and prioritizing her mental health through exercise.
- Khloe Kardashian: Kardashian has been open about her fitness journey. She incorporates a heart-pounding mix of deadlifts, jump-roping, forward lunges and mountain climbers.
- Shay Mitchell: Mitchell shared her experience with regaining motivation to work out and eat healthy after giving birth.
- Lexi Reed: Reed emphasized that progress is progress, no matter how small, and that she is committed to reaching her health goals.
- Dylan Sprouse: Sprouse worked with a nutritionist. He incorporated weights and kettlebells into his routine.
- Rebel Wilson: Wilson acknowledged the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and admitted that stress can lead to weight gain.
- Chris Pratt: Pratt committed to intense workouts and eliminated his favorite beers to prepare for a film role.
- Paul Rudd: Rudd shared that he "took the Chris Pratt approach" to training for an action movie, eliminating anything fun for a year.
- Jessie James Decker: Decker relies on the South Beach diet to feel her best after giving birth.
- Penn Badgley: Badgley is completing an ambitious bucket list. He wants to climb big rock walls in Yosemite, and so, he wants to get fit for that.
- Olivia Munn: Munn stared into Kingsley's eyes "allows you to be grateful versus kind of nitpicking yourself," she explained of her strategy.