What began with orthodontic preparation evolved into a year-long transformation — one that drew millions of views and provided a detailed, personal record of post-surgical recovery.
Long before the braces, hospital gowns, and recovery updates, Virginia Elder was sharing glimpses of her daily life — moments of faith, quiet routines, and time with her dog — all of which would later stand in contrast to the year of transformation she chose to document.
A proud alumna of Texas Tech University, Elder built her days around the people and beliefs that anchored her: her family, her friends, her Christian faith, and her devoted dog, Bleau.
Bleau, a striking blue-eyed pup with white and brown fur, featured prominently in her Instagram Stories. Together, they explored trails and parks, including Maxey Park, one of their favorites.
Elder often captured everyday moments with Bleau, from neighborhood walks in pink sneakers to playful car rides where she treated her pet to a dog-friendly dessert, once captioning a video simply, “my best friend.”
Her Instagram, filled with affirmations and gratitude, hints at a woman who found joy in simple moments, even while privately navigating deep physical challenges.
Early Health Challenges
Long before jaw surgery became part of her story, Elder faced another major medical challenge. Diagnosed with scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, she underwent two spinal surgeries — one on March 24, 2017, and another on May 13, 2019.
A screenshot of her “Scoliosis” highlight on Instagram shows her X-rays and a deeply personal reflection.
“It was a challenging journey, but it improved and shifted my outlook on life. Looking back, days, months, and even the years felt long, but I am so grateful that God gave me this journey and guided me every step on the path to recovery,” her post read.
She marked International Scoliosis Day with those words — a moment of both remembrance and pride. But despite overcoming that battle, another one lingered in the mirror.