Follow my health journey!
Hi! I’m Yelena! In 2008, I had weight loss surgery. Why had I reached 305lbs by the age of 20? For all the same reasons many of us do: a complex mix of habits, genetics and life. With the LapBand I lost 160lbs over four years. In 2013, one year after having my son, my band slipped and I revised to the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Since then, I’ve maintained a loss of about 140lbs through all of life’s ups and downs (divorce, loss, career, twin surrogacy, complications, etc.).
Did I have loose skin? Sure did! I’ve done three reconstructive plastic surgeries: lower body lift, breast augmentation, and an arm lift.
I have been very public about my bariatric journey and through my posts on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, I have gained an amazing community of WLS folks! I work with clients to help them better understand their motivations, the bariatric process and their overall habits for long-term success. I speak annually at obesity and bariatric conferences on fitness and post-op topics, I teach fitness virtually and at Lifetime Fitness, (NETA-GEC) and coach bariatric clients to stop relying on willpower to maintain their weight loss. I am currently working on my personal training certification through NASM which includes weight loss coaching, nutrition coaching, and corrective exercise coaching.
What brings me joy? My son and my parents, my two cats, hockey and Zumba!
Awards
Regional Emmy Award | Breaking News - Advanced Media “Hugo Tornado,” KSTP-TV, 2008
Regional Emmy Award | Cont. Coverage - Advanced Media “Dominic Jones Trial Q&A,” KSTP- TV, 2008
Regional Emmy Award | Investigative Report - Advanced Media “Smiley Face Killers,” KSTP-TV, 2008
Regional Emmy Award | News Programming - Advanced Media, “KSTP.COM,” KSTP-TV, 2008
Let’s chat.
Need advice? Want to work together? Let’s connect.