Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of the legendary Elvis Presley, was always in the public eye. As a singer, songwriter, and actress, she garnered attention for both her musical talent and personal life. However, it wasn’t until 2023 that her weight loss journey became a topic of major public interest. Lisa Marie Presley’s weight loss involved drastic changes, including bariatric surgery and an extreme regimen to shed 40-50 pounds.
Her weight loss journey became a focal point in the media due to the significant transformation that seemed to coincide with her public appearances and the promotion of the 2022 biographical film Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann. Sadly, her health journey also had a tragic ending, as complications from this transformation ultimately contributed to her untimely death in January 2023.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the events leading up to Lisa Marie Presley’s weight loss, the methods she used, the emotional and physical toll of her journey, and how it ultimately impacted her life and legacy.
A Long Battle with Weight: The Struggles Before the Transformation
Lisa Marie Presley’s relationship with her weight was never simple. Like many others, she struggled with weight fluctuations for much of her life. As the child of Elvis Presley, she was thrust into the limelight from a young age, and the pressures that came with being in such a high-profile family likely didn’t make things easier.
Throughout her adult life, Presley faced a range of emotional challenges, including personal loss, heartbreak, and the pressures of living up to her father’s legacy. The trauma of losing her father at such a young age, followed by the challenges of her relationships and raising her children, led Presley to seek comfort in food at various points in her life.
The weight struggles were further exacerbated by stress eating, as she coped with public scrutiny, and later, the overwhelming grief after the tragic death of her son, Benjamin Keough, in 2020. These factors weighed heavily on Presley’s mental and emotional health, and it wasn’t until later in her life that she made the decision to change her physical appearance for the sake of her well-being.
The Decision to Undergo Bariatric Surgery
In the early months of 2023, Presley’s weight loss journey took a drastic turn. She reportedly underwent bariatric surgery, a weight-loss procedure designed to reduce the size of the stomach, limiting the amount of food one can eat and helping with long-term weight loss. This decision was not made lightly, as bariatric surgery can be a life-changing, and sometimes risky, procedure.
The decision to go under the knife came after Presley’s extreme efforts to lose weight. She had previously attempted to lose weight through diet and exercise but struggled to maintain lasting results. The surgery was a more aggressive solution to her ongoing challenges.
“I knew I had to make a change for myself, not just for my family or anyone else. My health was deteriorating, and I realized I needed to do something drastic if I wanted to feel better and live longer,” Presley said of her decision in interviews.
Lisa Marie Presley had chosen to undergo gastric bypass surgery, one of the most common forms of bariatric surgery. This procedure involves creating a small stomach pouch and connecting it directly to the small intestine, bypassing much of the stomach. For Presley, it seemed to offer a solution to her long-standing struggles with weight.
The Extreme Weight Loss: 40-50 Pounds in a Matter of Weeks
Presley’s weight loss journey after her surgery was nothing short of extreme. Reports revealed that she lost 40-50 pounds in a very short period of time, with many speculating that she achieved this dramatic weight loss just before the Golden Globe Awards in January 2023.
According to sources, Presley’s decision to lose weight quickly was partially motivated by her desire to look her best for the promotion of the Elvis movie. As a key figure in the film’s promotional events, including the Golden Globes, Presley wanted to make sure she looked the part, especially given the significance of the movie in honoring her late father’s legacy.
However, this rapid weight loss came with its own set of challenges. Friends and family reportedly expressed concern about the extreme nature of her weight loss method, especially given the physical and emotional toll it seemed to take on Presley. The intense physical changes were noticeable, but so was the emotional strain she appeared to be under during the period leading up to her public appearances.
“It was clear that Lisa Marie had gone through a lot, not just with her appearance but also with how she was feeling. I remember seeing her, and she didn’t seem like her usual self. It was as if she was putting on a mask,” a close friend recalled.
Health Complications and the Toll on Her Body
While Lisa Marie Presley’s weight loss was initially praised for its visible results, it was soon revealed that her journey came with serious health complications. Presley had been using opioids and other medications to manage her pain during her weight loss journey, leading to concerns about her physical and mental state.
After months of rapid weight loss and extreme dieting, Presley began experiencing severe health issues. Her body was under intense stress, and her immune system had been compromised due to the drastic changes. As a result, Presley developed a small bowel obstruction, a condition where the intestines become blocked. This condition ultimately led to her tragic death in January 2023, just days after she made an emotional appearance at the Golden Globe Awards to celebrate the success of Elvis.
The official autopsy report confirmed that the obstruction was caused by adhesions, which are scar tissues that form after bariatric surgery. These adhesions caused the small bowel to become twisted, cutting off the blood supply and leading to further complications. While such complications are rare, they are known risks of bariatric surgery, especially in those who lose weight at a rapid pace.
Lisa Marie Presley’s tragic passing left fans and family members devastated, and the risks associated with extreme weight loss became a poignant topic of discussion. It raised questions about the pressures on celebrities, especially those from high-profile families, to meet certain beauty standards and how those pressures can affect mental and physical health.
Legacy and Reflection on Her Weight Loss Journey
Lisa Marie Presley’s weight loss journey ultimately highlights the complexity of body image, health, and self-worth. Her dramatic transformation was both inspiring and cautionary, offering insights into the emotional and physical struggles that can accompany such an intense process.
While Presley’s loss of 40-50 pounds may have seemed like a triumph at first, her story is a reminder that weight loss is not just about looking different—it is deeply tied to one’s mental health, sense of self, and emotional well-being. Presley’s decision to undergo bariatric surgery may have been a desperate attempt to regain control over her life after years of emotional hardship, but the severe toll it took on her body serves as a tragic reminder of the hidden dangers associated with extreme weight loss measures.
In the end, Lisa Marie Presley’s weight loss journey was not just about the pounds lost, but about a deeper struggle with health, grief, and self-acceptance. As her story unfolds, it continues to spark important conversations about mental health, the pressures of fame, and the risks of extreme weight loss strategies.
FAQ
1. How much weight did Lisa Marie Presley lose?
Lisa Marie Presley lost 40-50 pounds through a combination of bariatric surgery and a strict weight loss regimen in the months leading up to her tragic death.
2. What weight loss surgery did Lisa Marie Presley have?
Lisa Marie Presley underwent gastric bypass surgery, which involved creating a smaller stomach pouch to limit the amount of food she could consume.
3. Did Lisa Marie Presley face health complications due to her weight loss?
Yes, Lisa Marie Presley developed small bowel obstruction due to adhesions formed after her weight loss surgery. This complication ultimately contributed to her death.
4. What was the cause of Lisa Marie Presley’s death?
The official cause of her death was a small bowel obstruction, which was a severe complication resulting from previous bariatric surgery.
5. What emotional toll did Lisa Marie Presley’s weight loss journey take on her?
Lisa Marie Presley’s weight loss journey appeared to take a significant emotional toll. The stress of her public appearances, the pressure of living up to her father’s legacy, and the tragic loss of her son likely contributed to her decision to pursue extreme weight loss measures.