Tatiana Santiago never considered herself particularly slim, but for many years, her weight stayed within a healthy range. Everything changed in 2020. The loss of her child was a devastating tragedy, and in an effort to cope with the emotional pain, Tatiana began to turn to food for comfort. By the end of the year, she weighed over 200 kilograms and found herself caught in a cycle of stress, emotional eating, and apathy.

She didn’t fully realize how far things had gone until one day she looked in the mirror and couldn’t recognize herself. That was the moment Tatiana knew she needed to make a change. Her first step was incorporating physical activity into her routine. She started with long walks and eventually joined a swimming program. Slowly, she began to find joy in movement, and her body started responding positively to the change.

The next challenge was her diet. She eliminated her go-to comfort foods—especially processed meals high in carbohydrates—and made more mindful choices. The results came quickly. By January 2023, Tatiana had lost nearly 100 kilograms. But just as she was beginning to feel better, doctors diagnosed her with fatty liver disease.

This new health scare was a turning point. Despite her progress, her body still needed more help. Tatiana made the decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery. Her transformation didn’t stop there. She now works out six times a week and continues to prioritize her health. When she finally returned home, even her family could hardly recognize her. Today, Tatiana weighs 75 kilograms. She looks in the mirror and, for the first time in a long while, sees someone she is proud of. She’s learned to love herself again.