Vanessa 1000 Lb Best Friends now is one of the most searched names among TLC reality TV fans — and for good reason. Vannessa Cross has gone from nearly 500 pounds to under 175 pounds, making her one of the most successful weight loss stories in TLC history.
Her journey on 1000-Lb. Best Friends has been raw, emotional, and deeply inspiring. From bariatric surgery to skin removal and now motivational speaking, Vannessa is no longer just surviving — she is fully living.
This 2026 update covers everything: her current weight, health conditions, surgery results, relationships, and what she is doing right now.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts: Vannessa Cross at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vannessa Cross |
| Show | 1000-Lb. Best Friends (TLC) |
| Starting Weight | ~500 lbs (448 lbs at Season 1 premiere) |
| Current Weight (2026) | ~175 lbs |
| Total Weight Lost | ~273–300+ lbs |
| Surgery | Bariatric Surgery (2022) + Skin Removal Surgery (2024) |
| Health Conditions (Past) | Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension |
| Doctor | Dr. Charles Procter (bariatric) / Dr. David Whiteman (plastic surgery) |
| Future Plans | Book (recipes & tips), Motivational Speaking, Possible BBL |
| Seasons on Show | Seasons 1, 2, and 3 |
Who Is Vannessa Cross?
Vannessa Cross is a reality TV star best known from TLC’s 1000-Lb. Best Friends.
She first appeared on the show in February 2022, alongside friends Meghan Crumpler and Ashley Sutton. At the time of filming Season 1, she weighed 448 pounds and was struggling with serious health issues.
Her story quickly resonated with millions of viewers who saw her honesty and vulnerability on screen.
Vanessa’s Starting Weight and Health Struggles
At her heaviest, Vannessa weighed close to 500 pounds.
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and was on insulin. She also suffered from hypertension, which made any kind of physical activity difficult and dangerous.
These health conditions made bariatric surgery both urgent and life-saving for Vannessa.
The Road to Bariatric Surgery
Before surgery was even possible, Vannessa had to lose 50 pounds on her own.
During a March 2022 episode of 1000-Lb. Best Friends, she weighed in at 398 pounds, finally qualifying as a candidate for bariatric surgery with Dr. Charles Procter.
This milestone was a turning point. It showed that Vannessa had the discipline and motivation to take her health seriously.
Vannessa’s Mental Health Approach: Starting From Within
Most people expected Vannessa to start with diet and exercise. She didn’t.
Instead, she picked up an addiction recovery book and worked through the 12-step framework — replacing substances with food as the addiction. She told TODAY.com: food had become her drug, and she had to treat it that way.
This mental-first approach became the foundation of her entire transformation.
Season 2 Weight Loss Progress
By Season 2, Vannessa had been six months post-bariatric surgery.
At her check-in with Dr. Procter, she weighed 304 pounds — down from 398 pounds at the time of surgery. This was a remarkable drop that impressed even her doctor.
She continued posting workout and diet updates on Instagram, showing fans that the journey was ongoing and demanding.
Season 3: Hitting “Onederland”
Season 3 brought one of the biggest milestones of Vannessa’s life: dropping under 200 pounds.
She called it “onederland” — a term bariatric patients use for the first time they weigh in the 100s. At Season 3, she was officially under 200 lbs and described it as “amazing.”
This was a moment she had never experienced in her adult life.
Skin Removal Surgery: A New Body
After losing over 250 pounds, Vannessa faced a new challenge: excess loose skin.
She described the frustration of going to the gym and hearing her skin slap while running. It affected her confidence and her workouts. After being turned down multiple times, she was finally approved for excess skin removal surgery with Dr. David Whiteman.
The surgery removed what she called “Betsy May” — the large stomach roll — and her “bat wings” from her arms.
Post-Surgery Weigh-In: 195 Pounds
After her skin removal surgery, Vannessa stepped on the scale and saw 195 pounds.
Her plastic surgeon told her she still had fluid retention from surgery, meaning she would weigh even less once healed. She said: “I’ve never been under 200 pounds. To see 195 on the scale, I am losing my s–t.”
Dr. Whiteman cleared her for normal activity and told her to live like a regular person — something she had dreamed of for years.
Current Weight in 2026: ~175 Pounds
As of the most recent updates, Vannessa weighs approximately 175 pounds.
She has maintained this weight for over two years, which is a major medical achievement. Many bariatric patients struggle with regain, making her long-term success especially impressive.
Her total weight loss now stands at 273 to 300+ pounds depending on the timeline.
Exercise Routine: Running, Bikes, and Stairs
Vannessa’s workout routine is now a real part of her daily life.
She runs half a mile to one mile per day. She also uses the stationary bike, does stair climbs, and works on arm muscle building. She told Parade: “It’s weird to say it out loud, but I do love running.”
For someone who once struggled to move, this level of fitness is extraordinary.
Diet Changes: Food Is Fuel, Not Comfort
Vannessa completely rewired her relationship with food.
She described food as going from “my joy, my life, my go-to” to simply something you need to survive. She treats food as fuel now — not a coping mechanism, not a reward.
She is also working on a book that will share her recipes, diet tips, and the advice that helped her lose over 200 pounds.
Hair Loss: An Emotional Side Effect
One emotional subplot in Season 3 was Vannessa dealing with hair loss.
Rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery can temporarily affect hair follicles. Vannessa tried on wigs on camera and broke down in tears when she saw herself in a long blonde wig — saying she hadn’t recognized that version of herself in a long time.
It was a reminder that major body transformation is not just physical — it is deeply emotional too.
Friendship Drama: Falling Out With Meghan and Ashley
Season 3 also showed a rift between Vannessa and her original best friends, Meghan Crumpler and Ashley Sutton.
Vannessa opened up about how painful it was when they pulled away from her. She said: “No one in the world understands how it truly hurt when they just washed their hands and stopped talking to me.”
She made peace with it by focusing on herself: “Right now, Vannessa focuses on Vannessa.”
Vanessa 1000 Lb Best Friends Now: Scott and Tina
With old friendships strained, Vannessa formed strong bonds with two newer cast members: Scott Bagwill and Tina Biel.
Both are going through their own weight loss journeys in Season 3. Vannessa took on a motivating role — pushing them, encouraging them, and sometimes being bluntly honest in ways that divided viewers.
Some fans loved her tough-love style. Others felt she could be too harsh. Either way, her investment in their success was genuine.
Vannessa’s Confidence Transformation
Perhaps the most visible change is not physical — it is Vannessa’s confidence.
She told PEOPLE: “I feel like I am the baddest woman alive and can’t nobody touch me. I love being able to walk out the door every day and hold my head up high knowing I am somebody.”
At 450 pounds, she said she just wanted to stay hidden. Now she wants the world to see her.
Future Plans: Book, Speaking, and a BBL
Vannessa has big plans for the future.
She is working on a book featuring her recipes, tips, and step-by-step weight loss guidance. She also wants to get into motivational speaking, using her platform to help others who are where she once was.
On top of that, she has expressed interest in getting a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), joking that skin removal surgery was so smooth she got “addicted to plastic surgery.”
Health Update 2026: Diabetes and Hypertension
Her health transformation goes beyond the scale.
Vannessa previously managed Type 2 diabetes with insulin and struggled with hypertension. As of recent updates, her health markers have improved significantly alongside her weight loss — a common outcome of successful bariatric surgery and sustained lifestyle change.
She continues to work with her medical team to monitor and maintain her health.
What Is Vannessa Cross Doing Now in 2026?
As of 2026, Vannessa Cross is:
- Maintaining her weight at approximately 175 pounds
- Active on social media sharing fitness and lifestyle content
- Working on her recipe and wellness book
- Pursuing motivational speaking opportunities
- Living an active life — running, going to the gym, and enjoying things she never could before
- Reportedly considering additional cosmetic procedures
She has gone from existing to truly living — and she makes no secret of how proud she is of that.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does Vanessa from 1000 Lb Best Friends weigh now?
Vannessa Cross now weighs approximately 175 pounds, down from her starting weight of 448 pounds when the show first premiered. That is a total loss of over 273 pounds.
Did Vannessa Cross have bariatric surgery?
Yes. She weighed 398 pounds and became a successful candidate for bariatric surgery in March 2022. The surgery was performed by Dr. Charles Procter.
Did Vannessa have skin removal surgery?
Following her 250-lb weight loss, Vannessa was finally approved for skin removal surgery and had the procedure done ahead of Season 3. She had excess skin removed from her abdomen and arms.
What was Vannessa’s starting weight on 1000 Lb Best Friends?
At her heaviest, Vannessa tipped the scales at around 500 pounds. She weighed 448 pounds when 1000-Lb. Best Friends premiered in February 2022.
What health conditions did Vannessa have?
Vannessa was diabetic and was under insulin for quite some time. She also had hypertension, making her journey more difficult. Both conditions have improved with her weight loss.
Is Vannessa Cross still friends with Meghan and Ashley?
Vannessa shared that Meghan and Ashley stopped talking to her, which hurt her deeply. She said: “I’ll always love them. But right now, Vannessa focuses on Vannessa.”
What is Vannessa Cross doing now?
Currently, Cross is working on a book to share the recipes, tips, and advice that helped her shed 200 pounds. She also hopes to get into motivational speaking.
Why did Vannessa lose her hair?
She dropped a staggering 200 pounds through bariatric surgery, major lifestyle changes and excess skin removal surgery. In Season 3, Vannessa got emotional as she tried on wigs after experiencing hair loss — a known side effect of rapid weight loss.
What exercise does Vannessa do daily?
In addition to walking regularly, Cross said she has taken up running, aiming for about a half-mile to 1 mile per day. She also loves the stationary bike, stairs, and arm exercises.
Does Vannessa want more surgery?
She says her skin removal surgery was so easy that she is “addicted to plastic surgery” and has her eyes on a BBL for her next procedure. She describes her new confidence as being through the roof.
Conclusion
Vanessa 1000 Lb Best Friends now represents one of the most complete health transformations in TLC reality TV history.
Starting at nearly 500 pounds with diabetes and hypertension, Vannessa Cross rebuilt her body and her life through bariatric surgery, a mental health-first approach, consistent exercise, and a complete dietary overhaul.
She dropped over 273 pounds, hit “onederland,” had excess skin removed, and came out the other side with unshakeable confidence.
Now in 2026, she is writing a book, pursuing motivational speaking, and living a life that was once unimaginable. Her story is proof that transformation is possible — not just on a scale, but in every part of life. Vannessa is not just surviving anymore. She is thriving.
