For many, dramatic weight loss is a reason to celebrate but for Indiana based social media influencer Lexi Reed, it was a painful and near-death transition- one that included a bittersweet consequence. After shedding an incredible 312 pounds, she began battling a rare and disfiguring skin disease called calciphylaxis, a condition that almost took her life. And now, as she keeps writing about her weight loss struggle and fight for health, she hopes that she will motivate others with her strength and sheer willpower.

Lexi Reed's path to improved health started in 2016 when a friend dared her to do a 30-day lifestyle overhaul. She was 485 pounds (219 kg) at the time, had trouble squeezing into public seating, and was relegated to being left out of normal activities because of her weight. She candidly discussed her obesity issues—how junk food binges became her go-to coping mechanism and how it was almost impossible to shop for clothes in her size.

Deciding to transform her life, Reed began a fitness and health journey, taking small but effective steps. She traded fast food for home cooking, adopted an active lifestyle, and slowly began to lose weight. In eight years, she lost two-thirds of her body weight, a milestone that had millions of people following her story on social media.

Fighting a Rare Skin Disease

Although Reed's weight loss was a phenomenal accomplishment, her process took a dramatic and agonizing turn when she was diagnosed with calciphylaxis in April 2022. Calciphylaxis is a severe and uncommon condition in which calcium accumulates in the small blood vessels of the skin and fat tissue, causing painful ulcers, blood clots, and an extremely high risk of infection.

Reed suffered horribly, explaining that her skin went black and ulcerated, leaving her with 30 open sores. The disease has a high death rate, with close to 80% of the patients not surviving. Although she did not know what caused it, physicians suspected that it might have been caused by the dialysis she underwent for her kidneys failing.

At the height of her fight against calciphylaxis, Reed's quality of life significantly worsened. She was dependent on sodium bisulfate infusions for 59 weeks and had intensive wound care. The pain was so bad that she could not move, eat, and even do the simplest of daily activities.

There were days when I didn't know if I was going to wake up the next morning because I hurt so much," Reed said in an interview. She also had trouble with medical professionals minimizing her pain, making her feel unheard and alone.

But even through the pain and uncertainty, she never lost hope. In August 2023, after a year of intensive treatment, Reed went into remission. The wounds healed over, the threat of infection abated, and she regained her independence slowly.

"Glory be, I'm on the other side & my life is back. I'm thankful I can do for myself, cook for myself, dress for myself, appreciate life outdoors instead of seeing from a window, & that I no longer live my days in tears because pain is debilitating," she wrote on an emotional Instagram post.

Taking Care of Side Effects of Extreme Weight Loss

Although Reed beat calciphylaxis, excess skin was another physical obstacle she had to face—excess skin. Severe weight loss tends to leave behind loose, hanging skin, which can be painful and limit mobility. The skin loses elasticity with long-term weight gain so that it is unable to contract after weight loss.

Reed has been very public about the challenges of having too much skin and how it impacts her life. Although she loves her body, she also knows it is a challenge. In certain situations, body contouring surgery is available to those who have too much loose skin, but for most, it is still a medical or financial issue.

For others having the same issue, experts suggest strength training for better skin tone, proper hydration, and skincare products that benefit the skin for elasticity. The best way to address post-weight loss skin problems can be identified by consulting a healthcare provider.

Lexi Reed's tale is not merely one of weight loss or surviving a rare illness—it's one of resilience, hope, and self-acceptance. She still documents her journey on Instagram (@fatgirlfedup), where she has more than a million followers. In unapologetic posts and videos, she reminds everyone to treat their bodies kindly, regardless of shape, size, or health issues.

Even with fear creeping into some days, I still keep appearing & won't live in fear or squander any good days. I loved me enough to fight for me—just like I fought calciphylaxis," she wrote.

Her transparency regarding weight regain, setbacks, and mental health has struck a chord with many. She realizes that the journey is not always linear and setbacks are unavoidable. However, she is dedicated to her health, striving for balance and self-acceptance.

Why Listening to Your Body is Important?

One of the most significant things Reed teaches is to listen to your body. She does this by practicing self-care, eating well, and not ignoring pain or warning signs. Her current diet centers around high-protein foods, such as salmon, turkey burgers, asparagus, and broccoli—feeding her body and rebuilding strength.

Although weight loss has its benefits, it also entails physical and psychological challenges. Developing the ability to cope with these challenges patiently and with kindness toward oneself is a recipe for successful long-term well-being.

What is Calciphylaxis?

Calciphylaxis is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition in which calcium deposits in small blood vessels in fat and skin tissues, causing serious complications. Calciphylaxis results in painful skin ulcers, blood clots, and severe infections that can lead to organ failure or death. Although calciphylaxis is most frequently observed in patients with kidney failure who are on dialysis or have had a kidney transplant, it may also develop in individuals without kidney disease.

Symptoms are huge purple net-like marks on the skin, aching swellings that become open sores covered by black-brown crusts, and wounds that don't heal, risking life-threatening infections. The cause is unknown but studies indicate that abnormalities in blood-clotting factors could play a role in its formation. Because of its severity, early diagnosis and vigorous treatment are important in controlling symptoms and avoiding complications.

Heart failure has quietly emerged as one of India’s most serious and underestimated health challenges, driven by a rise in hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and delayed diagnosis of heart disease.

Due to a shortage of donor organs and a long waiting period before receiving the right treatment, end-stage heart failure patients in India faced a lot of difficulties a few years ago.

Today, advancements in heart transplant techniques are changing the situation from what was once an untreatable condition to a second chance at life.

Data from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) shows a significant year-on-year rise in heart transplants, with 253 transplants done in 2024, showcasing improved organ donation awareness, better coordination between hospitals, and stronger transplant networks.

What was once considered the only option is now emerging as a life-saving solution, offering patients not just a second chance but a return to a more meaningful and active life.

Why Are Heart Transplants Needed?

A heart transplant offers hope and gives a second life to patients whose hearts no longer support the body even after the best available medical aid.

Although it is never performed instantly, it becomes necessary whenever conditions of the heart result in end-stage heart failure, where the pumping function of the heart is compromised.

Also read: Harish Rana’s Family Donated His Heart Valves And Corneas After His Death From Passive Euthanasia

When medications and modern technologies cannot supply an adequate amount of blood and oxygen to the organs, patients experience extreme breathlessness, fluid buildup, fatigue, and repeated hospitalizations, making even simple activities like walking, eating, or lying flat exhausting.

As the flow of blood continues to deteriorate, failure is also expected in other vital organs such as the kidneys and liver. It is at this point that the transplantation of the donor heart is considered the only treatment option to ensure that the blood flow is normalized.

How Heart Transplantation Transforms Life?

Heart transplant is not just a surgical replacement of a failing organ, but a complete life restoration for patients with end-stage heart failure.

Its benefits include:

• Normalizes Heart Functioning: A healthy donor heart can immediately restore normal and effective blood flow. This will reduce weakness and fatigue that makes carrying out everyday tasks rather difficult.
• Enhances Survival Rates: Patients diagnosed with end-stage heart failure can only experience the best post-transplant survival outcomes when they undergo the transplant procedure as compared to other medical treatments.
• Enhances Quality of Life: The patients are able to attain independence once again as they are able to walk, sleep, travel, and socialize with their families and friends.
• Prevents Frequent Hospitalization: The successful transplant procedure prevents constant hospitalization, especially in cases with deteriorating heart failure, infections, and organ dysfunction.
• Protects Other Vital Organs: By restoring adequate blood flow, heart transplantation helps reverse damage to the kidneys, liver, and lungs caused by prolonged heart failure
• Permits Return to Normal Roles and Responsibilities: Patients regain their ability to work, take care of others, and carry out their daily responsibilities, which helps their emotional well-being.

Scottish Olympic legend Liz McColgan has warned athletes to wear sun protection during their training hours to protect their skin from “lasting consequences”.

Liz McColgan shared the health warning to athletes after undergoing surgery to remove lesions on her face.

The Olympic silver medalist from Dundee shared post-surgery photographs on the social media platform Instagram and lamented that, as a young runner, she never focused on wearing sun protection.

Avoiding sun cream because she felt it made her "sweat more" was her “ignorance”, said the 61-year-old former athlete.

“As a young athlete, I trained and raced in all weathers. Sun protection was never something I gave much thought to. In fact, I avoided it. I didn’t like the feeling of creams on my skin - I thought they made me sweat more, so I convinced myself I was better off without them. Looking back, that was ignorance,” Liz McColgan said.

“Recently, I had to undergo surgery to remove two lesions on my face. It was a stark reminder that the choices we make early on - especially the ones we dismiss as unimportant - can have lasting consequences,” she added.

Liz McColgan noted that athletes keep all their focus on "performance - mileage, sessions, recovery, nutrition”, but simple things like protecting their skin are often ignored.

“Yet it’s just as much a part of our overall health and wellbeing as any training session,” she said.

Sharing the health message to both young and old athletes, McColgan said, “Take sun protection seriously. Whether you’re training, racing, or even just spending time outdoors, protecting your skin matters.”

McColgan won a silver medal in the same event at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. In 1991, she went on to win the 10,000m World Championships title in Tokyo.

Also read:5 Simple Do's And Don'ts For Healthy Skin

Why Sunscreen Is Essential

Using sunscreen protects the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes

• skin cancer,
• premature aging,
• painful sunburns.

Should Sunscreen Be Used Indoors Too?

Sunscreen is meant to be part of a daily skincare routine. But most people reach for sunscreen when heading to the beach or stepping out for a long day in the sun.

According to dermatologists, sunlight can still reach you indoors.

Dr Khushboo Jha, Chief Dermatologist Consultant at Metro Hospital, explains that sunlight entering through windows can still affect the skin.

“While standard window glass blocks most UVB rays, which cause sunburn, UVA rays can still pass through. These rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are linked to long-term concerns such as premature aging, uneven pigmentation, and loss of skin elasticity,” she said.

These UVA rays are often overlooked because they do not cause immediate redness or burning like UVB rays. However, over time, they can lead to visible signs of skin aging and pigmentation.

Also read: Why Should You Must Apply Sunscreen Inside A Plane?

A Practical Approach To Daily Skincare

Dermatologists suggest viewing sunscreen as a preventive skincare habit rather than a rigid rule.

Dr Jha recommends incorporating sunscreen into your morning routine, particularly if your day includes stepping outdoors or spending time in naturally lit environments.

In simple terms, if daylight reaches your workspace or you plan to go outside later in the day, applying sunscreen in the morning is a small step that can help protect your skin over time.

Many men believe that as long as they feel healthy, active, and free from major illness, their fertility remains intact. While men do not have a sudden fertility cut-off like women, age still plays an important role when it comes to male fertility. Currently, a large number of men wish to start families later in life, often thinking their good health guarantees easy conception and fatherhood. They often neglect the age factor, even though it is linked to hormonal imbalance, stress, and genetic issues. A large number of men are unaware of their fertility health and continue to suffer. However, even in the absence of visible health problems, older men may face unexpected fertility challenges. Dr Madhukar J Shinde, Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, PCMC, Pune, answered this for Health and Me.

Read more: The Overlooked Role of Men in IVF: Why Their Silent Strength Is Key to Fertility Success

Why do older men struggle with infertility?

Decline in sperm quality: Various studies have confirmed that as men age, sperm count, movement, and shape can slowly decline. Even if the numbers appear normal, DNA damage in sperm increases with age, which can reduce the chances of successful fertilisation.

1. Hormonal imbalance: It is important to note that testosterone levels naturally decrease over time. Lower testosterone can affect sperm production, sexual function, and overall reproductive performance, even when a man feels physically fit.
2. Some medical conditions tend to take a toll on fertility: Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid disorders become more common with age. These may be well-managed and symptom-free, but can still affect sperm health and fertility.
3. Stress and other lifestyle factors can impact fertility: Chronic stress, lack of sleep, smoking, alcohol consumption, or exposure to pollution can take a toll on sperm quality and lead to fertility issues that can be worrisome for men. Preservatives in a lot of frozen and junk food not only contribute to poor fertility health, but research suggests they may also affect DNA function. Therefore, men should stay vigilant.
4. Genetic issues: Advanced paternal age is associated with a higher risk of genetic mutations in sperm. This can further affect embryo development and increase the risk of miscarriage or certain developmental conditions.

Men must stay in touch with a fertility consultant who can design an appropriate treatment plan. The expert will evaluate them thoroughly and suggest lifestyle modifications such as a well-balanced diet, exercise, stress management through meditation, and medication for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol. Awareness helps men take informed steps towards parenthood, even later in life. Certain pre-medications, including antioxidants advised by a fertility consultant, may significantly help in reducing DNA fragmentation, which contributes to poor sperm function. Therefore, men should prioritise their reproductive health, stay informed, and not suffer in silence.