In an eye-opening interview with SELF magazine, Bader disclosed that she underwent a form of bariatric surgery known as a single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass combined with sleeve gastrectomy. She elaborated on the “brutal” nature of the surgical process and described her “horrible” recovery experience, revealing the emotional and physical toll it took on her life.

Bader, who initially rose to fame by sharing realistic clothing hauls as a plus-sized influencer, reflected on her long-standing battle with binge eating disorder. She discussed her ongoing struggle to lose weight, especially as it began to impact her overall health and contribute to feelings of depression.

“I loved being curvy my entire life; I just did. It was a part of my identity,” stated the 30-year-old influencer, adding that as her health issues escalated, it felt like “a constant battle” to maintain her self-image.

“I will always believe that you can be a larger size and still be healthy and happy. For a while, that was genuine for me,” Bader shared. “However, there came a point when everything changed, and I became truly unhappy with myself.”

In her candid interview, Bader outlined the various weight loss treatments she attempted in the years leading up to her surgery—many of which she had previously disclosed to her followers. She detailed her journey extensively and how each method impacted her life.

As highlighted in SELF, Bader experimented with several weight loss medications, including Rybelus, an oral semaglutide drug, and Ozempic, both of which she previously revealed caused her significant illness and discomfort during her attempts to lose weight.

“It varies for each individual, [but] but I was throwing up every single day from it,” she shared with the SELF publication.

Other medications she tried included Contrave, an oral weight loss medication, Wellbutrin, an NDRI antidepressant, and Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, an antidiabetic medication similar to Ozempic, which is also utilized for its weight loss benefits.

Bader disclosed that she began using Mounjaro “very secretly” in September 2022, just months after completing a six-week outpatient eating disorder treatment program. She recounted how she began binge eating again “almost immediately” after starting the medication.

She explained to SELF that at that time, she thought trying Mounjaro was the “worst decision I could possibly make for myself.”

“I just mentioned how I went to treatment… Nobody could ever find out about this,” she recalled feeling during that period.

Similar to Ozempic, the Mounjaro injections caused her to vomit frequently. Despite this, Bader shared that her doctor recommended she try Ozempic again—this time combined with Metformin, another antidiabetic medication. She continued to experience nausea and vomiting, which led her to stop all medications. In June 2023, she attempted Vyvanse, a medication for ADHD and binge eating disorder, but like her previous treatments, it did not yield positive results.

At this juncture, Bader reported that her struggle with binge eating disorder intensified, adversely affecting her health. She experienced severe back pain that rendered her bedridden, excessive sweating, sleep apnea, and other serious health issues, including alarming results from lab tests indicating high cholesterol, heart problems, and fatty liver disease. Bader shared that her doctor warned her she was “becoming infertile,” which she found to be more frightening than any other health concern she faced.

Bader expressed her inner turmoil as she struggled to decide how to improve her situation. “I believe it’s a constant battle of: What do I do that’s right for me? What do I do that’s right for everyone else? It genuinely was driving me insane,” she recounted, highlighting her emotional state during that time.

After extensive consultations with bariatric surgeons in New York City, Bader made the pivotal decision to undergo weight loss surgery. Following her doctor’s advice, she opted for the single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S), a complex procedure aimed at helping her regain control over her health.

She shared the news with her boyfriend and parents and underwent the surgery in December 2023. Bader initially believed that the recovery would be short-lived; however, she faced an entirely different reality.

“I must say that it was one of the most brutal experiences,” she disclosed to SELF. “I had the surgery, and I was in recovery for hours and hours, vomiting continuously. It was far from normal. I was expected to leave [the hospital] within a day, but I couldn’t stop projectile vomiting, and I was unable to drink water. They won’t let you leave if you can’t drink water. I genuinely can’t describe how horrible it was.”

While a medical professional informed SELF that the procedure typically allows for a recovery period of two to three weeks, Bader asserted that she was “not f–king okay” from her surgery until mid-February 2023, facing numerous challenges throughout her healing process.

“I had fallen into a very deep depression, and it was genuinely the scariest time of my life,” she recalled. “I couldn’t tell anyone. I truly felt like I wanted to die.”

After her doctor adjusted her antidepressant dosage, she began to experience improvements in her mental health, although this period was complicated further by her breakup with her boyfriend.

Now, reflecting on her journey more than two years later, a healthier and happier Bader describes her transformation as having occurred “very subtly.” She continues to take antidepressants, attends therapy regularly, and maintains a consistent exercise routine to support her overall well-being.

“My binge eating is better,” Bader stated. “I still struggle and have those thoughts, but I can’t physically binge as much because I don’t have the capacity.”

She noted that another side effect of the surgery is that she feels nauseous and may vomit if she overeats. Bader also mentioned experiencing hair loss, which has been another challenge following her weight loss journey.

Despite feeling “much happier overall” now and having overcome several of the health issues she previously faced, such as back pain, Bader still grapples with discomfort regarding her weight loss—particularly due to the rapidity of her transformation.

“I never thought it would happen this quickly,” Bader admitted. “I never wanted to be this size… I’m probably the only person who has ever gone to a doctor for weight loss and said, ‘Okay, but can I still be curvy?’” It’s truly confusing to suddenly be in a different body while still having the same mindset.”

“I’m still uncomfortable. I’ve never looked like this. I’ve never felt this way. I’ve never been this size,” she continued. “So when people comment now, ‘Tiny, skinny. Oh my God, your legs, your arms, this, this,’ that’s really triggering for me. People seem to think that achieving this body was all it took to be happy… and that’s just not true.”

While Bader may appear different now, she remains committed to being a size-inclusivity advocate, emphasizing the importance of representation in the fashion and beauty industries.

“I just find it fascinating how the world is treating me now,” she told SELF. “I still want to advocate for inclusivity and all those issues, but I feel like I’m not allowed to. People say, ‘Well, you don’t relate to us anymore.’ And I ask, why is that fair? I genuinely feel like I’ve inhabited so many different bodies and faced so many different situations; why can’t I still be the one advocating for these issues?”

If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to connect with a certified crisis counselor.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has had thoughts of self-harm or suicide, get help . The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for individuals in distress.

If you or someone you know is dealing with an eating disorder, seek assistance. Contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) at 1-800-931-2237 or visit NationalEatingDisorders.org.