There's lots of things we love about MAFs, but watching the panel of experts help guide the couples through newly-wed life is one of our faves. One MAFS expert who has been on our screens since 2021 is Alessandra Rampolla, the show's resident sexologist. With over 20 years of experience under her belt, Alessandra is completely at ease with advising the couples on all things sex and intimacy, alongside her fellow experts John Aiken and Mel Schilling.
In the past, Alessandra has been open about her weight loss journey, which saw her drop 60kg since 2008. In an interview with Woman's Day Magazine in 2021, Alessandra explained that she underwent a gastric bypass in 2008. 'It was such a transformation both physically and mentally,' she said. Gastric bypass surgery, also known as Roux-en-Y, is procedure that reduces stomach size and reroutes part of the small intestine.
In the interview, Alessandra explained that she decided to have the procedure for health reasons, rather than because of her looks. 'I did it for my health, and at the time I was married and I was thinking about having kids and I had learned about the complications of trying for a baby with that extra weight, so I made a decision,' she explained. 'I tried a lot of different things before it, but [the surgery] really allowed me to get my weight under control.'
At the time, Alessandra was married to John Hernandez. However, the pair separated after four years of marriage, and didn't have any children together. Speaking about motherhood to Woman's Day, Alessandra said: 'I think they're beautiful and I think motherhood is wonderful, but they just haven't been a part of my life, and that's the way things have turned out for me.'
Alessandra previously took to Instagram to share before and after snaps from the procedure, sharing one image from 2006 and one from 2020. She captioned the post in Spanish: 'Do you remember me like that? Fall 2006, a couple of years before traveling to Cali, Colombia to undergo a gastric bypass by the hand of the great Dr Eduardo Bolanos to take control of my obesity,' she captioned the post in her native Spanish,' continuing 'Go to the 2nd photo to see my current version, much healthier after losing 55 kg! On this Friday of memories, the first of 2019, I draw strength and inspiration from my own story of challenges overcome (some little ones, others - like this - not so much) and I dare to look forward and dream big. Because everything is possible... because we can do everything. Welcome, 2019.'
A few years later in 2022, Alessandra revealed she was in the process of undergoing reconstructive surgeries to get rid of excess skin. 'I went to Colombia in May. I saw my gastric bypass surgeon. We did all the medical check ups. I'm doing really really well, and I wanted to look into some other reconstructive surgeries because of the loose skin,' she told her Instagram followers in a live Q&A. 'I had decided years ago that I was fine with [the excess skin] and I was for many years. Then one day I wasn't so fine so I reassessed.'
Alessandra decided on a doctor in Cali Colombia, where she has begun the reconstructive process. 'I began in May and I will continue early next year after we finish wrapping this next season of MAFS. It's going to be a process,' she said at the time. 'We're taking a very conservative approach. My intention is not to change myself. I think I look fine, it's not like I'm going to be walking around in a G-string now. But there is a certain closure to the trauma behind the weight gain. When I can really just finally close the chapter surrounding my weight gain and weight loss surgery and weight loss and whole body image issues that I had for so many years.'
Alessandra has also spoken openly about supplementing her surgery with exercise. She is a keen yogi and enjoys hiking, and often shares details about her workouts on Instagram.
However, the process hasn't all been plain sailing. In an interview with 9Entertainment, Alessandra said that although the experience was 'literally life-changing', some people appeared to criticise her weight loss journey.
'I got a lot of people complaining, "Why did you become thin?" And then before it was like, "Why are you fat?"' she said. 'You know you can never please people, and it's never about pleasing people - but I was very surprised with the amount of people who were like, "Nooooo, why did you do this?" - it was my health, you guys.'