Lissa Fleming loses 56kg in 18 months after surgeons refuse to operate

After a freak accident in 2015 left Lissa Fleming living in pain she was forced to change her lifestyle to get life-changing surgery. SEE THE AMAZING BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES>>>

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A freak accident in 2015 left Lissa Fleming living in pain and forced her to change her lifestyle before surgeons would operate.

Ms Fleming was told to lose 35kg before she would be considered for a knee reconstruction.

That started Ms Fleming on her weight loss journey which has seen her lose 56kg in 18 months.

She said after initially undergoing gastric sleeve surgery it wasn’t until meeting Tamie Buchanan from TAMbition Fitness the weight started to shift.

“Lots of people say, ‘sleeve surgery is the easy way out’ but it is in no way the easy way out,” she said.

“It was very overwhelming being a bigger person walking into a fitness centre seeing everyone looking fit in their active wear but I have found my happy place with Tamie.”

Lissa Fleming before her weight loss journey

Lissa after losing 56kg. Picture: Evan Morgan

Because Ms Fleming was unable to exercise due to her knee injury, she gained 36kg in two years tipping the scales at 116kg.

She now weighs 60kg and fits size 6 clothes.

Ms Buchanan said she admired Ms Fleming’s commitment to transforming her life.

“It makes my heart sing watching Lissa transform from a shy, reserved lady to this blooming wildflower that oozes confidence and positivity,” she said.

The 41-year-old said after losing the weight her knee pain “went from an eight out of 10 to a one” and did not end up requiring surgery.

“I have an active job and it has made life so much easier. I still can’t believe the change it has made to my life,” she said.

“I now walk past the mirror and say, ‘who is that?’.”

Originally published as Lissa Fleming loses 56kg in 18 months after surgeons refuse to operate