Woman, 36, who was a 21st body positivity influencer sheds more than half her weight thanks to £17,500 surgeries - and admits 'life is easier when you are smaller'

A body positivity influencer who weighed more than 21st has shed more than half her weight after undergoing £17,500 worth of surgeries to transform her figure.

Emily Jones, from London, earned 485,000 followers on Instagram after preaching a positive mindset towards her physique – but despite practising self-love, her weight is something which has plagued the 36-year-old ever since she was a child.

At her heaviest, Emily weighed 21st 8lb. Desperate for change – not only in how she looked, but for her health, too – she spent £17,500 on weight loss surgeries, including £5,000 on gastric bypass surgery in Malta, and a £7,200 armpit and breast lift.

However, the content creator, who now weighs a svelte 9st 4lb, insisted: 'I never let my issues with weight hold me back from anything - but I'd be lying if I said I don't feel really good at the moment.

'I don't think that is related so much to how I look, but more to how I feel. My confidence has grown every single time I do the things I tell myself I'm going to do.

'And every time I choose a more balanced snack, every training session is clocked, I'm keeping the promises I made to myself.'

Emily said she feels younger – but despite her own positive reaction to the change – she admitted that reactions online have been 'mixed'.

She explained: 'There are definitely some people who would have preferred me to stay bigger. 

Emily Jones earned 485,000 followers on Instagram after preaching a positive mindset- but despite practising self-love, her weight is something which has plagued the 36-year-old 

'But, overall, the reaction - particularly to my plastics journey - has been overwhelmingly positive. I was anxious that people would be judgmental of my decision to lose the loose skin.

'But I think people can see from the journey I have documented online how important this next step was for me and how incredibly happy the change has made me.

'Of course there will always be naysayers - but I have learned to do what feels best for me and hope the right people will understand my choices.

'We all have to stay true to ourselves and live for ourselves, and never for other people.'

Asked about life now, compared to when she was heavier, Emily said: 'It's a shame to admit that, now having experienced life on both sides of the coin, life is often easier in a smaller body.

'But I really hope to encourage others to understand that change doesn't always have to be driven purely by self-hate, but it can be the greatest act of self-love and care to make changes to better your health and lifestyle. You can love yourself along the way too.'

Emily recalled going on a diet at just nine years old as she looked different to the other girls in her class. It kicked off a lifelong cycle of gaining and losing weight.

When she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in March 2014, this only became harder to manage due to limited mobility and various medications.

At her heaviest, Emily weighed 21st 8lbs. Desperate for change she spent £17,500 on weight loss surgeries, including £5,000 on gastric bypass surgery in Malta

Emily was left needing a walking stick in her 20s, just to get around. And then, in the space of six weeks, both of her parents passed away.

Due to the enormous amount of stress, coupled with the pain and tiredness she was experiencing, Emily relied heavily on fast and convenience foods.

She said: 'I was in a really dark place mentally and felt my life was spiralling out of control - along with my weight.

'I felt that even throughout the worst periods I was still trying to make an effort not to throw caution to the wind and kept trying to take myself to the gym, and eat as well as possible, but it felt like nothing was working.

'I remember having a good talk with myself in the mirror and accepting that my body was the one I was in. These were the cards I was dealt, and I was determined not to let it stop me from living life to the fullest.

'But I was in so much pain and could barely get around. My feet would get so sore and tired. And the world doesn't always cater for larger people the way it should.

'Travel was definitely harder in a bigger body, with considerations like seatbelts and seat size being really uncomfortable.'

Emily received an onslaught of hurtful comments, too. She was often called an 'elephant' or 'whale' and had pig emojis left under her posts constantly. On a night out, someone referred to her as 'thunder thighs'. 

However, the content creator (pictured before her weight loss), who now weighs a svelte 9st 4lbs, insisted: 'I never let my issues with weight hold me back from anything'

While accepting of her looks, she knew something had to change. She tried Weight Watchers, Slimming World, the cabbage soup diet and calorie counting. Exhausting all efforts, she began researching another way.

Emily said: 'My weight wouldn't budge and I felt really defeated by it all. I realised if I wanted to feel better, I would need some outside help.'

In January 2024, she spent £5,000 on gastric bypass surgery in Malta. She used the procedure as a tool to help put her daily habits on the right track rather than a 'one and done' solution.

Emily signed up with a personal trainer and now goes to the gym up to three times a week, as well as two Pilates sessions.

For breakfast, she has chia seed pudding with berries, along with lots of chicken, fish or steak with vegetables and rice for lunch and dinner. As a snack, Emily (@miss__jones on Instagram) chomps on honey and fruit.

In July 2026, she jetted off to Lithuania to Nordesthetics Clinic to undergo an armpit and breast lift, priced at £7,200.

She said: 'This has been completely life-changing for me. I had very large arms and heavy breasts before losing weight, so it left me with a lot of loose skin in those areas that became uncomfortable to deal with. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest both physically and mentally.'

Now, even though she's still working towards toning up the loose skin on her stomach, Emily feels like a 'brand new woman'.