Bride-to-Be Drops Nine Stone After Feeling ‘Ashamed’ of Engagement Photos

Melissa Curran, a 30-year-old from Glasgow, has undergone a remarkable transformation, shedding nine stone after seeing her engagement photos left her feeling “ashamed” and “embarrassed.” Once weighing 23 stone and wearing size 28 jeans, Melissa now feels “confident” and “comfortable” as she prepares for her wedding next October.

Melissa, who has struggled with her weight since childhood, recalled attending Slimming World at just 11 years old and attempting every diet and shake with little success. “I would lose maybe a stone or two, but it would stop working, and then I’d pile it all back on and more,” she said, according to the Daily Record.

Her turning point came in March 2022 when she saw photos from her engagement party. “That was the final straw. I didn’t want those to be my wedding photos,” she shared. Determined to change, Melissa lost two stone on her own before flying to Istanbul, Turkey, on New Year’s Day 2023 for a £2,700 gastric sleeve procedure.

Melissa described waking up from surgery as “a strange feeling,” explaining, “There was no hunger at all.” The pounds began to drop rapidly, and by February 2023, she could zip up her favorite leather jacket for the first time in years. By September, she had lost a further seven stone, bringing her total weight to 14 stone and her clothing size down to a size 16.

Now embracing her new figure, Melissa has completely overhauled her lifestyle. Gone are the three weekly takeaways, five fizzy drinks a day, and snacking on multipacks of crisps. Instead, she opts for home-cooked meals, a choice that has boosted her confidence and energy. “I don’t hide in my clothes anymore,” she said. “I’m so much more outgoing.”

Melissa’s newfound confidence extends to her wedding plans. She has selected a dress that’s more revealing than she originally envisioned, celebrating her transformation. “Before, I wanted a dress that covers up. Now, it’s floaty at the top and more revealing. I feel comfortable and confident,” she said.

As she prepares to marry her fiancé, Ross McAvoy, Melissa is relishing the attention she once shied away from. “I love getting my photo taken now,” she shared. “I feel like a new person.”