A weight loss influencer has proudly displayed her new figure to the world after overcoming a health battle that put her into a medically induced coma.
Lexi Reed, a 33-year-old from Indiana gained fame in 2016 by documenting her 312-pound weight loss, revealing her latest triumph on social media.
In an Instagram post, she reflected on the challenges she faced, confessing that her life had been turned "upside down" by the rare disease, calciphylaxis.
"Remission, 100lbs, + my battle with Calciphylaxis - a rare disease that I was diagnosed with that completely turned my life upside down & made me question how strong that I truly was," she shared in the heartfelt post.
Despite the daunting odds posed by her illness, Lexi's determination to survive never changed.
"With personally having 30+ painful open wounds, and calciphylaxis having a mortality rate of over 80% due to infection (the leading cause of death), I was scared I wasn't going to survive," she admitted.
But survive she did, showcasing her remarkable progress in a mirror selfie that highlighted her impressive weight loss. Lexi's journey to recovery wasn't easy; she underwent 59 weeks of treatment for her debilitating wounds.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Calciphylaxis is an "uncommon disease in which calcium accumulates in small blood vessels of the fat and skin tissues. Calciphylaxis causes blood clots, painful skin ulcers and may cause serious infections that can lead to death."
Lexi's husband, Danny, provided insights into her ordeal through updates on Instagram. "She then started acting differently so I took her to the hospital where they admitted her into ICU, placed on a medically induced coma, on a ventilator, and [told] me that her organs started failing," he shared.
The road to recovery has been long and arduous, but Lexi remains determined.
"Through the pain & through the fear, I found my strength to live & heal was more powerful than focusing on the odds stacked against me and I fought as hard as I could to survive one of the hardest battles of my life," she declared.
Speaking further in the illness, Lexi added: "Every scar is proof that I've been fighting for my life and against all odds - but this is healing & I'm not giving up no matter what calciphylaxis throws at me.
"As far as my loose skin, I'd much rather have more loose skin than go back to being 485lbs. Skin is skin, love the body you're in & speak kindly to yourself because you're always listening!"
Lexi's weight loss journey began in 2016 when she weighed 485 pounds. After getting married in 2015, the couple made a New Year's resolution to change their ways after consuming 8000 calories a day, per the Daily Mail.
Despite setbacks, including a health scare in 2022 that landed her in the ICU, she and Danny have persevered, inspiring millions with their commitment to health and each other.
As Lexi aptly puts it: "Sometimes life will knock us down and make us question how strong that we truly are, but what matters most is not giving up despite what we face or the fear - start today!"
