A woman who was left with severe excess skin after losing 196lbs looks unrecognizable following surgery that cost her $31,879.
Ceara Crawford, 32, from Saint Paul, Minnesota, spent years struggling with her weight and tipped the scales at 490lbs at her heaviest.
But after losing nearly 200lbs over the course of four years, was devastated to be left with folds of excess skin on her stomach, back, arms, and breasts which saw her confidence plummet.
In January 2021, Ceara underwent her first surgery, having a tummy tuck and breast lift, taking her from a 46G to a 34C.
Ceara Crawford dropped 196 pounds in just four years, but found she still wasn’t happy with her body. Pictured following her weightloss surgery
![After shifting the weight, Ceara was devastated to be left with extreme excess skin on her stomach, back, arms, and breasts which saw her confidence plummet](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/09/53432117-10447247-image-a-2_1643276747006.jpg)
After shifting the weight, Ceara was devastated to be left with extreme excess skin on her stomach, back, arms, and breasts which saw her confidence plummet
![Caera had been struggling with her weight for years, weighing in at 490 pounds at her heaviest](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/09/53432151-10447247-image-a-3_1643276753217.jpg)
Caera had been struggling with her weight for years, weighing in at 490 pounds at her heaviest
![Caera lost the weight after waking up one morning and deciding to change her life. Pictured following her weightloss, showcasing her excess skin](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/09/53432155-10447247-image-a-4_1643276758496.jpg)
Caera lost the weight after waking up one morning and deciding to change her life. Pictured following her weightloss, showcasing her excess skin
Eight months later, in September 2021, Ceara had more surgery, undergoing a Brazilian butt lift with liposuction 360 and J Plasma to tighten and refresh the skin.
Doctors managed to remove 7lbs of excess skin that measured 3ft wide.
Ceara said: ‘I had struggled with my weight almost my entire life; I woke up one morning and realized that if I didn’t change something, I was going to die. So I decided to leave my old life behind me that day.’
![Ceara now, following her weightloss, is really into weightlifting, running, and yoga and is dedicated to keeping fit](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/10/53432159-10447247-Ceara_now_following_her_weightloss_is_really_into_weightlifting_-m-5_1643279732906.jpg)
Ceara now, following her weightloss, is really into weightlifting, running, and yoga and is dedicated to keeping fit
![Ceara following her weightloss surgery. Her breast lift took her bra size from a 46G down to a 34C](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/09/53432161-10447247-image-a-6_1643276782160.jpg)
Ceara following her weightloss surgery. Her breast lift took her bra size from a 46G down to a 34C
![Caera's stomach while recovering from her tummy tuck surgery](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/10/53432115-10447247-image-m-35_1643277865626.jpg)
![Ceara's scar healing following her tummy tuck surgery](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/10/53432125-10447247-image-a-36_1643277875319.jpg)
During Caera’s surgery, doctors managed to remove 7lbs of excess skin that measured at 3ft wide. Left and right, Ceara’s stomach while haling from her tummy tuck surgery
![While Ceara was happy with her weight loss, loose skin on her tummy made her feel 'trapped'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/09/53432139-10447247-image-a-10_1643276815728.jpg)
While Ceara was happy with her weight loss, loose skin on her tummy made her feel ‘trapped’
![Transformation: Ceara underwent a complete body transformation after her surgeries and looks compeltely different as a result](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/10/53432147-10447247-Ceara_underwent_a_complete_body_transformation_after_her_surgeri-m-7_1643279800579.jpg)
Transformation: Ceara underwent a complete body transformation after her surgeries and looks compeltely different as a result
‘I split up with my ex, changed my habits, worked on sobriety, and reinvented myself and managed to lose 196lbs in four years.
‘Despite being happy that I had lost all the weight, I was left with an extensive amount of loose skin and it made me feel trapped.
‘I felt like I would never be able to escape the girl I had been before and referred to it as my skin suit that held me back from doing and wearing a lot because I was incredibly self-conscious about it.
‘After the skin removal, I went from a size 26 at my heaviest to a size 6/8 – it was amazing.
![Pictured following her surgeries. Now, Ceara says she doesn't even recognize herself some days](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/09/53432129-10447247-image-a-11_1643276976952.jpg)
Pictured following her surgeries. Now, Ceara says she doesn’t even recognize herself some days
![As well as regular exercise and a good diet, the biggest transformation is her overall happiness](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/10/53432127-10447247-image-a-43_1643278489897.jpg)
![Weight loss surgeries allowed Ceara to workout more freely and encouraged her to exercise more](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/10/53432121-10447247-image-m-42_1643278476172.jpg)
Ceara, who works as a talent acquisition manager, now follows the keto diet where she follows a low carb and high fat food plan
![Ceara pictured now. She attributes her success to splitting up with her ex, changing her habits, working on sobriety, and reinventing herself](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/09/53432119-10447247-image-a-17_1643277018000.jpg)
Ceara pictured now. She attributes her success to splitting up with her ex, changing her habits, working on sobriety, and reinventing herself
![Ceara at her heaviest suffered with type 2 diabetes and asthma](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/10/53432135-10447247-image-m-39_1643278255813.jpg)
![Ceara attributes her weight loss success to focusing on smart consistent choices](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/10/53432143-10447247-Ceara_attributes_her_weight_loss_success_to_focusing_on_smart_co-a-1_1643279594252.jpg)
Caera advised that weight loss takes time, dedication, failing, and learning to transform yourself but her biggest piece of advice is to stop chasing quick fixes
‘The surgeries were absolutely life-changing and set me free; I could run without my stomach clapping against my thighs, get into more advanced yoga positions, have more clothing options, and my confidence overall has skyrocketed as a result.
‘People can’t believe how different I look – everything about me has changed.
‘I don’t even recognise myself some days and the biggest transformation is my overall happiness that radiates from me.’
![Before her weight loss, Ceara was 490 pounds and couldn't join in with athletic activities](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/10/53432145-10447247-image-a-41_1643278361866.jpg)
![Following her surgeries, Ceara can get into more advanced yoga positions, have more clothing options, and her confidence has skyrocketed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/10/53432153-10447247-Following_her_surgeries_Ceara_can_get_into_more_advanced_yoga_po-a-4_1643279594273.jpg)
The surgeries were life changing for Ceara who says they set her free and allowed her to run without my stomach clapping against my thighs
![Before her surgeries. Ceara thinks it's important to be transparent about having work done so realistic expectations can be set for others on a health journey](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/10/53432137-10447247-Before_her_surgeries_Ceara_thinks_it_s_important_to_be_transpare-a-3_1643279594268.jpg)
Before her surgeries. Ceara thinks it’s important to be transparent about having work done so realistic expectations can be set for others on a health journey
![After the skin removal, Caera went from a size 26 at her heaviest to a size 6/8 and said she felt amazing. Pictured: Caera now](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/09/53432113-10447247-image-a-22_1643277063204.jpg)
After the skin removal, Caera went from a size 26 at her heaviest to a size 6/8 and said she felt amazing. Pictured: Caera now
![Keto was life changing for the manager, but insists trial and error is important for finding a personal outcome that works. Pictured before surgery](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/27/10/53432111-10447247-Keto_was_life_changing_for_the_manager_but_insists_trial_and_err-a-2_1643279594263.jpg)
Keto was life changing for the manager, but insists trial and error is important for finding a personal outcome that works. Pictured before surgery
Ceara, who works as a talent acquisition manager, is now following the keto diet – a low carb and high fat food plan.
She added: ‘Losing the weight reversed my type two diabetes and asthma.’
‘I think it’s important to be transparent about having work done so you can set realistic expectations for others on a health journey and break the stigma of plastic surgery.’
‘I love to workout now and I’m really into weightlifting, running, and yoga.’
‘It takes time, dedication, failing, and learning to transform yourself but my biggest piece of advice is to stop chasing quick fixes and focus on smart consistent choices.’
‘Keto has been life changing for me personally but everything is trial and error so what works for me, might not work for everyone.’
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