At just 23 -years-old, Aubrey Johansen weighed 350 pounds( about 25 stone ), and doctors warned her that, if she didn’t lose weight, she could only expect to live for another 15 years .

This warning, along with her rejection from four musical schools- all which told her she was too large to expect to be cast- prompted Aubrey to undergo bypass surgery.

She then made some huge lifestyle changes- swapping to a healthy diet, and starting to regularly work out.

Now, two years later, Aubrey is 150 pounds lighter, and a UK size 14. She has become a hugely popular blogger, posting Instagram scenes to over 50,000 followers.

// the left; October 7, 2013, right before they wheeled me into surgery. Gastric Bypass surgery SAVED ME. Objective of narrative. I literally do not care if you agree with my selection, or wish I had done it “naturally”, it saved my life, period. Weighing 353 lbs at 23 years of age was the ultimate low phase in my young adult life, and I took any way out that I could. Not even 2 years post op, and I’ve lost 156 pounds, I look at the world differently, and ya know what? The world looks at me differently. I’ve never felt shame , nor will I ever feel shame about my choice to have weight loss surgery. It’s a life saving thing for many humans on this globe. Those who are successful understand the sacrifice and hard work it takes. I’ve ran just as hard as my tool to get where I am, and I know how hard I’ll have to keep working to get where I’m running.

A photo posted by aubreymj2 009 @gmail. com (@ aubreystrawb_rny) on May 19, 2016 at 6:18 pm PDT

But such an extreme transformation hasn’t been without its challenges. Aubrey lately posted a series of photo, presenting her excess skin, and explaining that she wasn’t going to let it take away from her accomplishment 😛 TAGEND

// feeling amazing& strong after today’s workout, which btw, including 60. FACKING. BURPEES. which, I don’t have to modify anymore, that’s pretty cool! I cannot wait to see these muscles grow! Excess scalp is patently a real thing in my life, but damn, I’m going to work my ass off to fill this skin with muscle before I decide to have it all cut off. I owe it to myself to try. I know you cannot reverse years of obesity& strain on the scalp, but I’m going to give this process my all. I want to build the best version of “me”. Inside& out!

A photo posted by aubreymj2 009 @gmail. com (@ aubreystrawb_rny) on May 16, 2016 at 3:33 pm PDT

// “They tell us from the time we’re young, To hide the things that we don’t like about ourselves Inside ourselves. I know I’m not the only one who spent so long attempting to be someone else. Well I’m over it”

A photo posted by aubreymj2 009 @gmail. com (@ aubreystrawb_rny) on May 22, 2016 at 4:45 am PDT

#transformationtuesday

A photo posted by aubreymj2 009 @gmail. com (@ aubreystrawb_rny) on May 24, 2016 at 4:52 am PDT

Aubrey is frequently praised by her followers, as her story inspires them :

// HAPPY FRIYAY check me out in my new size 10 shorts! shorts& shirt- @oldnavy

A photo posted by aubreymj2 009 @gmail. com (@ aubreystrawb_rny) on May 27, 2016 at 5:20 am PDT

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