Former EastEnders star Melissa Suffield, who played Lucy Beale, has opened up about her staggering weight loss, saying it isn't as a result of a new diet or workout plan
17:48, 18 Dec 2024Updated 17:49, 18 Dec 2024
A former EastEnders actress has shared details about her unexpected weight loss journey, as she clarifies that it's not the result of a fresh diet or exercise routine. Melissa Suffield, famed for her role as the young Lucy Beale from 2004 to 2010 and previously known for promoting body positivity post-motherhood, endured "horrible nausea" last year which incidentally led to her shedding pounds.
Diagnosed with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) this year following more than 40 doctor's appointments and numerous tests to uncover the root of her persistent sickness and weight loss, Melissa disclosed to The Sun: "Obviously, I've lost quite a lot of weight this year, but absolutely none of that has been through choice. None of it. Like I'm back in my pre-pregnancy jeans."
Melissa, who welcomed her little boy River in March 2020, expressed that despite the reduction in weight, there's "no joy" in it for her and that she's anything but thrilled with her slimmer silhouette—contrary to what others may think.
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She also pointed out that slimness isn't synonymous with health, due to her own experience with SIBO impacting her skin and hair. She shared: "What it [losing weight because of SIBO] has helped me do is prove the point that I've always, always made, which is that you cannot define how healthy someone is, by how much they weigh, or how fat you think they look or whatever it is that you think you know.", reports the Mirror.
Furthermore, she expressed feeling like a 'burden on the NHS' with frequent GP appointments, numerous tests, and visits to different departments. Additionally, she mentioned the "obscene amount of money on prescriptions" spent in pursuit of a diagnosis and managing nausea.
Despite shedding her curvier frame, Melissa, known as @the.confidentmama on Instagram, carries on advocating for body positivity, promoting a positive body image and self-esteem.
Her profile features chic yet comfy fashion inspiration, along with glimpses into her life with her partner and their four-year-old son River. SIBO, explains the Mayo Clinic, occurs when there's an abnormal surge in bacterial growth in the small intestine, especially bacteria not usually present in that section of the gut.
The illness is characterised by symptoms such as loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, a feeling of fullness after eating, diarrhoea, unintentional weight loss and malnutrition.
According to the NHS, an estimated 13 million people in the UK suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with up to 80% of these (around 10.8 million patients) also dealing with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
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