“The doctor said I had 5 days to live,” says a woman who weighed 250 kg

Osi Monteiro lost 80kg after hearing a death sentence, became a model and beauty queen and created a project to help women suffering from fatphobia

The year was 2011 and Osieire Monteiro Cardoso, 26 years old at the time, went to a doctor when he saw that the scale reached 250 kg. The resident of São Vicente (SP) asked an endocrinologist for help because she had not been able to get out of bed that day. At the time, the reaction of the specialist Osi consulted left her even more scared of the consequences of being overweight.

“The doctor just looked at my face and said I had 5 days to live if I didn’t have bariatric surgery. I left crying at that moment because he said I was going to die.”

Osi Monteiro, plus size model

It was then that Osi met another woman who suffered from grade 3 obesity, considered pathological, and who had the same diagnosis as her. Her outcome, however, was tragic, which left her even more scared and shaken. “I have a family that helps me and loves me regardless of my body type. In her case, she had no one. Five days later she killed herself. Then I fell into depression,” she recalls.

The process of weight loss

Resilient, Osi chose not to undergo bariatric surgery because he was afraid, and the year after his scare he passed a competitive examination and began working as a Community Health Agent (CHA). Dynamic, her job required her to walk: something unexpected, but she began to make a difference on the scale.

“As a community health worker I had to go to patients’ homes to do house calls. I also did work activities. From the moment people at my job said I could do it, I believed it. I started walking and dancing. Without these people I wouldn’t have accomplished any of that,” he recalls.

In total, Osieire lost 80 kg. The effort was recognized. In 2019 she was invited to participate in the Miss Santos Plus competition, in Baixada Santista, the region where she lives. “I didn’t want to participate because I didn’t know how to walk in heels or wear a dress,” she says. But, encouraged by her family, she accepted.

Although he did not win the title, the experience led to other invitations and participation in fashion shows. “I won Miss Congeniality and stood out on the 2019 runway,” she says. And it was just the beginning of her career as a plus-size model. Osi today accumulates titles and is also called upon to hold workshops and conferences.

Osi Monteiro Project

Check out this photo on Instagram

A post shared by Osi Monteiro (@osi.monteiro_oficial)

The story of overcoming led to the Osi Monteiro project, designed to help people going through the same difficulties the model went through. Each month set up a conversation club in places where women would be afraid to go because of their weight, like the beach or the pool.

Osi says she started the project to help women regain their confidence. “See that they can leave home, live, have fun anywhere. That they can live and be part of the society we live in. Show that they have power regardless of their physical type,” she emphasizes.

She makes a point of highlighting her body in publications that feature bikinis on the beach and fashionable outfits she shows off on the catwalks. Today, at 39, Osi defines herself as “a kind of psychologist” for obese women with low self-esteem. “I came to show that no matter what your weight, you can change your life.”

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.